Pursuing the Presence, Purpose and Power of a closer walk with Christ


 

Psalm 107:43 “Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord.”

   How many people do you know who are inclined to make up their own rules? As a teen, I made up my own rules. The consequences to my rebellious ways showed me I could not be my Master. 

    As an adult,  I now choose the wisdom of heeding the Ten Commandments. They are God’s rules of love to all of us;  they are meant to protect us from making poor choices  that result in hurting ourself, our family and others.

   I read a paper this morning, that my daughter brought home from Sunday Night Bible Study the Teen leaders had used in their lesson. This  research was done by the Barna Research group, and taken from, “Third Millennium Teens”. I viewed it as a study of what happens when we make up own rules.

“Studies show that young people who believe they can create their own version of the truth about what God is like-rather than discovering Him as He has been revealed  to us in Scripture actually demonstrate startling effects of that belief in their attitudes and actions.

According to research, when a person believes truth is individually created(rather than discovered), he or she is…

   What wisdom do you have to share that may help another to avoid  the pitfalls  in life?

Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,  and he who wins souls is wise.”


Doc2gravestone clipart    What kind of dreams do you dream?  Happy dreams…scary dreams…romantic dreams…dreams of conflict, love or death? Most people will admit when asked, that they have had memorable dreams, but have you heard of  anyone who dreamt  big on saving money?

   I recently had a dream  after I had been at a monument and granite company. I wanted to have a memorial placed at my late husband’s grave before the deadline for laying the foundation this year. The  meaning of the dream became clear after I thought about it awhile.

   The dream’s location was in the parking lot of where I had been earlier that evening. I saw a “Save-A-Lot” store next to this monument business. ( In reality, an Italian restaurant was next door and the name was used as a landmark of direction by the business owner.)  I said to my daughter with special needs, “Let’s walk over to that store instead of driving there. It’ll give us some extra exercise” As we walked on the side-walk, it  began to ascend more than I was comfortable with for her safety.  I told Rachel to stop and wait a minute, I wanted to  see how much more the ascent of this walk would be.

  But the further I climbed, the steeper the path took me up…up, up, up to the top of the summit. On the peak I could see the  “Save-A-Lot” sign clearly. The next morning after I awoke, I remembered the unshakable  dream of  ascending that mount. It donned on me that the summit stood for the name of the other monument company I had gone to a year earlier. I had discounted this company because of their cutoff date for the foundation laying might not be in my timeline.

   I realized the Lord had spoken to me in the dream in an unmistakable way. Though I do not shop at “Save-A-Lot”, I would save a lot at Summit  ______  _____ . 

   I called  the family owned monument company to inform them I would be coming in to look at the gravestones for the color and size I wanted. I found their stock of memorials to be just what  I was looking for to honor my husband’s memory. What’s more, I was thrilled to hear the price of the gravestone,  it would save me just over $2,000!

  God is Great! “Who among the gods is like you , O LORD?  Who is like you – majestic in holiness, awesome in power, working wonders?” Exodus 15:11

  Has God shown you a wonder? Leave me a comment telling  what He’s done in your life lately.


   Have you ever played a game at a party where you tried to guess what the surprise was and another participant asked,”Is it bigger than a breadbox?” This phrase was popularized by the comedian Steve Allen when hosting the game show, “What My Line?”  At the time of airing this popular television program, the concept of a breadbox was well-known.

Would most people today know what a breadbox looks like?  Certainly, you could “Google” the term breadbox and find a variety of vintage breadbox selling on E-Bay. You could also find a fancy new breadbox online for about $100. Or you might find one at a garage sale.

 This past Sunday afternoon, I stopped at a garage sale after church. Normally, I would not be browsing the lawns, driveways or garages in my neighborhood on Sunday, but I was flagged by a huge sheet of plywood. ” “SALE” was painted in red letters almost the size of the piece of  wood.  I  put my car in reverse, (not recommended when cars have to go around you), and pulled in  the driveway behind another treasure hunter.

The need for more chairs around the dining table was in the back of my mind, but there wasn’t a seat in sight. What drew me further amongst the array of items was an old box. This was not your average garage sale find, it was made for a specific purpose and the sweet lady hosting the event offered its history.

She explained that it was once used to deliver bread. She showed me the embossed letters spelling “Vim Bread Company” on the lid. I couldn’t believe my ears or my eyes. It was just what I needed! Not to sit on, of course. I needed it to place the bread I baked in for the Bread of Life Ministry.

 ” The Bread of Life Ministry”  was titled as such because it describes  the act of ministering  the Gospel of Jesus Christ to my neighbors.  I have gone door to door in hopes of giving  a loaf bread that had been wrapped in foil and placed in a plastic bag.  Information was inserted into the bag that includes who I am, the recipe and a connect card from the Nazarene Church I attend.

This idea came from a lovely lady I never met. In a Revival service I had attended, an Evangelist, Lane Loman, retold the story of his beloved mother,  Pearl Loman. Pearl was a modern-day disciple of Christ who took the Great Commission seriously. She would go door to door showing her neighbors God’s love and giving them a loaf of bread she baked.  Ladies, this was before bread machines and the convenience of  Harvest Bread.

I hope to accomplish the same result as she: lives brought to Christ and transformed into His image. Some of the families in her neighborhood had made the decision to accept Christ as their Savior after praying with them.

 What would happen to our neighborhoods today, if there were others who followed the example  of this humble lady? 

 Those that make the effort to fulfill the Great Commission will have abundant joy in the Harvest, bringing their sheaves with them.


 
Ground Zero Cross

Romans 8 : 28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

The 10th anniversary of the terrible destruction to the Trade Center’s Twin Towers calls for A Cause to Pause.

The majority of people living in our Patriotic Nation remembered what they were doing or exactly where they were when the terrorist’s attack  happened on September 11th, 2001.

What fear and dread must have been running through the hearts and minds of those related to  people who worked in the building and what devastation must have overcome  numerous people in the midst of the chaos, confusion and calamity.

No American raised with the knowledge that the Giver of Life gave us the right to  life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, would have wished this on their worst enemy.

Neighbors, Friends, Friends of Friends, Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers, Daughters, Daughter-in-laws, Sons, Sons-in-laws, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Kin; once or twice removed;  all were affected by the planes’ demolition.”

“And We Know That In All Things.  God Works.  For The Good Of Those Who Love Him, Who Have Been Called According To His Purpose.”

 This was cause for many bystanders, if you will, to pause and pray for the loved ones of the victims and the loved ones of the hero’s who died at that time or in the hours afterward . Many church pews once half filled and some all but empty, began filling, and in some churches it was the first time in a very long time for A Cause to Pause.

 This past September 11, 2011, memorial services all across this land from ‘sea to shining sea’ were held in homes, communities,  and churches. Inevitably, the media of television, cable, internet and radio realized by broadcasting some of  these solemn events, they too, had A Cause to Pause.

A Cause To Pause came in my community. God was indeed one of those who paused at the cause of the grief in the hearts of millions of men women and children.  An unexplainable rumbling coming from the stormy clouds pealed for hours and hours. Never before have I heard such a wonder. I’m sure the Lord was grieved, because the grief of millions of hearts touched His Holy heart.

Wadsworth, OH 9-11 Memorial Service

A friend of mine said it rained until the memorial service  began in the center of Wadsworth, Ohio on September 11, 2011. When the service was over, it began to rain again.

  Later that evening, I thought about the song we sang during  the morning service in the church I attend, which is also in Wadsworth, OH . As the congregation sang,  “There Shall Be Showers of Blessings”, it began to rain. One of the lines of verses is,  ‘Mercy drops round us are falling, but for the showers we plead.’

Heavenly Father, would you rain down on us showers of your blessings. Showers of  a Holy Spirit Revival. Showers causing men, women and children to pause and turn from sin, back to you.  Give us showers that transform men, women and children into your image. In Jesus Name, Amen.


God's Presence

We’ve all had them. Expectations, that is. And some of them have been great…

   When I think of great, I think of how great God is. Psalms 77:13 says, ” Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the people. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people.”  He not only redeemed the descendants of Jacob and Joseph, but He redeemed all those who accept His son Jesus as their Savior.

    God is great because He loves us all. While we were still sinners, He sent  Jesus Christ to die for us. Who do you know that would offer His only Son to die for those who don’t know or love Him?

   God has been great to me. He has stayed by my side through tragedy, loss of a spouse, before during an after my spiritual transformation and the joyful times as well.

  Recently, one of the wonders I attribute to Him is a cross growing in the pines above the horses pasture at Here’s Hope Horse Farm. I find it to be great that God would allow me to see this and capture it on camera shown in the photo above.  Some might say, “what a “co-inky-dink”.  I say it is great because the God I know allowed it to grow in such a manner. 

   What would you say? Has God been great to you? Have you seen His marvelous hand at work in your life or a family member’s? Leave a comment at the end of this post, I’d love to read about something He has done in your life that you can say is great.

Face To Facebook


Doc1facetofacereflectionRomans 8 28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

 

   Have you done something that has wounded another individual(s) without having any intention of doing so, that you wish, if it were possible, could be rewound (no tacky pun meant) and done differently? If only I could have… Fill in the blank. Issues, issues, issues! Who wants them?

   What do you do with the issue of broken relationships that seemingly cannot be undone? You can’t go back and change anything, but you continue to live in the: should’ve, could’ve, and would’ve mentality. (Incidentally, it will make you a little more than mental to live there.)

   When we look in the light of Romans 8:28, we can allow God to work in our heart, in our weaknesses, and the circumstances surrounding the issues.  If we let him use what has occurred, whether they are caused by self or others, we then can become vessels that are reshaped for use.

   Then, they will know we are Christians be our love. What the world needs to see is how God can take offences we’ve caused and forgive, restore and heal. This will open the way for others to see Jesus, instead of our offences which prevents them coming to the Light.

   I was the offender needing God’s Grace. I needed to accept blame for the hurt I had inconsiderately caused others and I needed to let Jesus carry the grief that offended. When we offend others, it is also offends Christ. Oh, wounded hearts, there is Balm in Gilead. Jesus will take our sins, mistakes, sorrows, and pain when they are placed at the foot of his cross.

  Facing our wrong doing is the first step in the process of being free and forgiven. It allows us to look into the face of those we offended for mercy and love. While we are looking forward to seeing Christ one day soon face to face, let us look beyond offences done on Facebook.


    When was the last time you heard the statement, “I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God? Have you ever had to repeat part if not all  of what was once recited before a person could take the witness stand?  Do they still use Bibles in court to place one’s hand upon while swearing to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

    Is it possible to explain what truth is?  Is it possible to be blind to the truth?

   What conditions exist for truth to be known?

    How old do you have to be before knowing the truth?

   Is it possible to know truth and  later on, forget what it is?

   “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6  These are Jesus words,  and God himself  has told us to listen to His Son. (Matthew 17:5)


Today,  May 30,  2011, many people will visit gravesites to honor the memory of those who gave their lives for our freedom.

  Others will remember their loved ones who have passed on from this realm of living  to eternity.

This Memorial Day 2011, I want to honor Jesus Christ my Savior,  for His sacrifice on the Cross for my sins.

 I want to thank my Heavenly Father for sending His only Son as  part of His perfect plan of salvation. He gave because He loves us so much

After Jesus’ resurrection., He sent His Holy Spirit  giving us power to live a holy life and to  “go and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew 28:19

Memorial Day for Christians is everyday if we consider the life Jesus gave for our freedom. Others need that freedom too.

Healing Waters


Healing waters The Wadsworth Church of the Nazarene had revival this week with evangelist Rev. Norman Moore. He brought a fresh word from the Lord and the Holy Spirit brought a fresh wind. Last night’s message was about the man that would sit by the pool waiting for someone to dip him in the water for healing when it was stirred. No telling how long he was in that paralyzed condition…the parallel to this story in John 5:1-11 was to a faulty cruise control that would operate fast, then slow, then back and forth. When the money was available it was finally taken to the garage to fix it, but fixed it wasn’t. The Rev. left it in that condition…broken. For that car-it was normal. Our abnormals can become normal to us and we can’t differentiate between the two conditions. But if we’re blessed to have the healing waters stirred when Jesus passes by, anyone who comes to Him will be healed. I was first in the “pool” and may have been last at the alter. I slept 6.9 hours, the 2nd longest in years! I’m trusting Christ for a continuing record of “normal” rest. Praise be to The Great Physician!


Will God’s Mercy on our country continue when  President Obama has not defended the sanctity of human life, the sanctity of marriage and most recently, Israel-His chosen people? Will those who love the Lord God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength seek to defend the issues that are under attack? God has shed His Grace on America, thus we Americans have been blessed with freedom of religion, speech and worship. It is time to be ready and watch in fervent prayer; for the salvation of the multitudes including our leaders, for God’s protection over Israel and own country… while we have light.

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