AND ALL THINGS CAN BE NEW AGAIN!!!

As of today, May 1, I am employed by World Bridge Partners out of Omaha Nebraska, by a franchisee of  MRI NETWORK  that I have known for 25 years.  This is a person that I highly regard both personally and spiritually and professionally. It was just a month ago that he and I were renewing our acquaintance as he asked for my help in mentoring his son in legal recruiting. I spent the next day working with a young man who soaked up everything I said like a sponge and asked the most intelligent  questions!  Once I gave him a partner level candidate, he also wrote the most beautiful script I’ve ever  read about a candidate and I told him to start making calls on the candidate’s behalf the next day. He called almost in a panic after just a couple of hours of calls. He was getting responses within 10 minutes of his calls-wanting more information, a resume or an interview-and what should he do next? WOW  Thank goodness it was a Friday! It gave me time to get with my candidate and tell him who was interested in his bio/no name/no firm so who might he want to speak with? He chose to do his due diligence over the weekend and first thing on Monday, I knew who he wanted to see. Now he is going forward in the process and we are very excited about that as my young friend had not gotten so far in a year; nor did he realize that corporate contracts are to be negotiated on both sides, including payment terms. I am of course, thrilled to be able to bring anything to the table. This will be a win/win/win for everyone. More than just helping mentor this young man, I began to see a well run franchise that had made it through the recession, still took good care of its recruiters-in fact valued them-and I began to ask the Lord, “Have you brought them to my attention for a reason? Am I supposed to ask for a job?” 

 You all know I have been studying the book of Genesis this year in BSF. Just lately we have been studying the life of Joseph. Sold by his brothers into slavery, into Potiphar’s house where he rose to the role of managing the household, and then thrown into prison after being unjustly accused by Potiphar’s wife of attempted rape, he rose again to oversee the prison under the warden. Those two jobs prepared him for the number 2 job under Pharaoh that he would have after he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream’s by the grace of God. Last week when I had determined that it was ok for me to ask for a job with this man and we began to talk of what might could be–oh my goodness–did I begin to see parallels!  For the very first time, I actually thought that my desert, my pruning, my fire, my refining, might not all be about discipline and getting me ready for heaven, but ready for something else God wants me to do here! 

WOW!! How GREAT is that at almost 62!! and having had a stroke even a mini one just 45 days ago, even if it wasn’t my fault? Because as you all have been with me on this journey, you know that I have found out that material things are nice, but not important unless it’s matter of keeping warm or comfortably cool or medical bills paid, medicine paid for, basic groceries paid for. I am no longer about all the stuff I accumulated. it’s long gone and I don’t have any room for it in my life or my place any more. What’s more important is what decision I have made in an action and has it damaged my witness? Cause I am far from perfect, but that is so important. I do not want Jesus Christ to be ashamed of me. Anyway this is going to make a huge difference in my life–already has. I have real hope about our circumstances going forward. I know the Lord can and does and did provide miracles every month but goodness, gracious, that’s hard on a body, on two people just striving as best they could! I know He expects people who can to work and so I am-doing what He has given to me to do. Just this time, I have those basics that most employed people expect-benefits, expenses, a more than generous draw. I have to tell you that when he made the offer, the scripture running through my head was how ”He is able to  abundantly supply more than we ask, or expect or even dream of.”  I can only say that because I have almost  learned to live on a minimum wage draw. Now OF COURSE everything wasn’t getting paid on time or at all, but we were alive, had enough to eat, power, gas in the one car, a credit card paid for that. Now everyone can get caught up for which I am so very VERY  thankful! I don’t like owing good people money, so now I can start to take care of that.

Thank the Lord for the people in my church that have kept me with health insurance–again, the Lord has been ever so close through all of this time. I thank Him and all of those who have helped us. Once we are back on our feet,  we can go back to helping others as we used to do. Thank you for all of your prayers for this also. I know you were also praying for a miracle for me and IT HAS HAPPENED!

God Bless and Good night–

Cindy

SUNDAY NIGHT, HOME, MY SINCERE THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS ONCE AGAIN

Once again,  I found myself in the hospital ER on Thursday afternoon. I had gone in for my simple physical therapy session this week, but this time, I was put on a bike. It wasn’t a regular bike, I was leaning back on the backrest, very comfortable, not even hurting my knees. The clock turned over 8 minutes and I began to have just a little pain on my left side up under my breast. I really didn’t pay attention at first, but then it got worse it enough to really call my attention to it and and I must have rubbed it. My therapist said “what’s the matter?” I told her I had a little pain in my left chest. She had me stop cycling at once and took me over to a chair and took my blood pressure and  oxygen levels.  I don’t think they were that bad,  but by then the pain had gone down my arm with lots of tingling and piyns and needles in my hand that I just couldn’t shake off.  When that happened she got help and a wheelchair and away we went to the ER. They treated it like a heart attack, but I don’t think that’s what it was-heart spasms is what I have heard so far with EEG changes the 3 different times I had them.  Since there were already questions about what my heart is doing these days ( I have 30 day event monitor I was already wearing) the doc decided a stress test would be a good thing to have-the following morning-so the night in the hospital and my email to Diane to ask for your prayers that there was no blockage.  The doctor was sure that’s what it was. It even sounded like it to me, based on what my daddy had been through several times and had stents put in after 2 quadruple by-passes.  But thanks to your prayers and  to God‘s purpose, that was not why I was in the hospital that night.

 I was on the phone with my sister (yes, that one) We were praying. The young person who was to take me up my room arrived in the middle of it and I raised up my finger signaling-just a minute-he nodded and waited respectfully. When we were done and he had helped me into the chair and we were rolling along, I thanked him for waiting and explained you don’t just “hang up” on the Lord.  He nodded and me I guess I was still really in the Spirit, because I looked at him and I asked him if he knew Jesus. He got me on the elevator and said, “Do you mean am I saved?  No, ma’am, I don’t know Jesus.  But I have been thinking a lot about it for quite awhile months- thinking hard on it.  By this time we had arrived at my room. I asked his name and asked if I could tell him a story- just take a few minutes. He agreed  and I told him about when the Lord Himself  had met me at the moment of my need to breathe without panic and fear on May 5, 2011. Then I asked him by name, don’t you want Jesus for yourself today? He looked at me and said yes, ma’am  I do.  I asked again, do you want to pray to receive Jesus into your heart right now?  He said he did, so I asked him to give me his hand and I would lead him in prayer. ..Once he had gone I of course knew why I was visiting the hospital that night!! Still as I shared the news with my family, everyone’s response was great, but couldn’t the Lord send you there for something less serious, less painful…why this way at all??

My only answer can be that whatever I have to go through for Jesus’ sake is so far below anything that can be considered or compared with what HE did for me is minor -even if it is major to us. There were so many people to give His word to, from the one who wanted to know if I have a Living Will (I do), each  nurse or tech-there were so many people to tell a story to.

I didn’t get a chance to write what has been on my heart since last Thursday. The Lord has been exceedingly gracious in speaking to me. Not just Thursday morning during my  devotions but also during my dreams Thursday night which were confirmed again in the sermon in church this morning. So ya’ll will have to keep coming back! I told you life with me was never boring!!

Goodnight

 

A New Award That I Don’t Deserve!

Very Inspiring Award

This award was given to me in January!!! I was thrilled and wrote what you see below. The only problem was doing the the rules that go along side of the award. So I thought I would just save it for a day or so till I felt better and as you all know, things got only crazier. Until I was going through the dashboard last night and cleaning up a bit, did I find this sweet award from my dear Cheryl (please forgive me) so here it is Cheryl. Thank you so much. You also inspire me!

“Cindy, I nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award because you know what trials and tribulations are about, and still you glorify the Lord. You have no idea, but as I have been suffering with chronic (constant) back and leg pain, your testimonies have been an encouragement and an inspiration for me. I think to myself, “If God can do that for her, He can surely do it for me too.” Thank you Cindy!”

Let me tell you why I don’t deserve this award or even an award for when I was in the hospital with meningitis. I have so tired of hurting! and so tired of hospitals! and blood tests, xrays, MRIs, any and all thing that test a person in some way!!I know I have to do my blood test in the morning. I have put it off the last 2 days. No reason, just didn’t think about it till I’d had coffee with a lot cream, etc. Pretty much since I came home from Atlanta, I have been sidelined with this sciatica-and oh yes! have I complained! Loudly and long to the Lord and my husband had heard it! I still have leftover issues from the meningitis. I didn’t know that it could mess with you cognitive abilities-certainly not for so long, but now that I have spoken to other survivors, I’ve found that this is pretty common. One of my nurse friends today urged me to see my doctor. So I will this Friday-when I had been considering canceling it since I have a new deductible to cover! This is one of those ‘keep you posted kind of things’

So you can see for yourself  how undeserving I am  and yet, exactly why our Lord allows the suffering-so that I will understand completely and utterly the suffering of the other person. I need to learn to keep my mouth shut and just bear it-but sometimes like this time it was too hard. Cheryl, I should have shared it and then you would have shared also and maybe there are others who suffer in the same way? I intend to find a solution. I hurt too much to live like this for long..much less 102!! what are you thinking? Besides our Lord Jesus is coming back before then. I am sure of that.  So here it is April instead of January and again so much has happened. The Lord is still teaching me, I am still learning. He is still bringing people to me to share with and that is exciting. The more people who come into the Kingdom of God the faster we bring Jesus to get us! And with the headlines as they are, it can not be too soon.

OK  enough, here’s for fun!

Acknowledge person who has given you the Award.  Miss Cheryl “Burningfireshutupinmybones”

The Award logo should be placed in the post.  it is

I have to include 7 things about myself  what don’t you know?                                                                                                                                                   1 I spent a couple of summers on a real farm-my grandma’s she raised cotton and tobacco
2  I’m not ready for grey hair/can you tell?                                                                                                                                                                                       3  I have to watch my mobile minutes super close every month and just barely make it!                                                                                                    4  I am the oldest of 6, being 17 when the youngest was born, a unique perspective                                                                                                                    5  I don’t like chocolate by itself-Great with p’nut butter though!                                                                                                                                                     6  My husband has spoiled me rotten-he takes such great care of me                                                                                                                                               7  Unless you’ve gone back into the archives, you don’t know that I used to be a ‘wild woman” loved fast roller coasters, fast dancing, would  have loved bungy jumping if they had invented it before my neck had to be fused. I was always the kid you didn’t dare.                                                                                                              

Nominate (although 15 is suggested I will nominate 8 as I have nominated several previously, but it’s been awhile since I did this, so these are people that lately have inspired me…in no particular order

http://Tothe
AssemblywithLove.wordpress.com, http://VesselofGod.wordpress.com,http://mychristiancoffeehouse.wordpress.com, http://possesshispromises.wordpress.com,http://aviesplace.wordpress.com,http://tellGodthankyou.wordpress.com,http://lilliessparrows&grass.wordpress.com, http://forhisgloryandpraise.wordpress.com

   The nominees should be advised on their site.

 

Need Prayers Again! and Not Just For Me!

As I write you this night I have so many rolling around in me! I know that this is the One Way that The Lord uses my writing because otherwise I do not have any talent at all for it! This has been a hard day, probably because it was a hard night before it started. I had gone to my first physical therapy lesson and although we only did four little leg exercises, I managed to get my sciatic nerve all stirred up again and every time I moved last night was agony! for those of you who have suffered with a sciatic nerve problem, you know exactly what I am talking about! There is no comfortable position to be in, no real relief with drugs-its just a misery. Still I must do my leg exercises  to get my legs strong again. I have some good goals. First to get rid of my snazzy walker and graduate to a cane which is pretty snazzy itself, but so much easier to deal with! Second, I want to be able to walk my dog again and go up and down the stairs by myself. I have to be steady on my feet to do that. I want to drive myself again. I like my independence! And my younger sister is turning 50 next month and has planned a cruise for all of her friends and family in 2 months time. I must be better for that!

What I didn’t say was how I am struggling with working between the doctor visits and tests and yes, the PT, with strength left over to do a great job. God did answer my fervent prayers last week for existing searches to continue, people to get back with me, everything to go forward well. That I am so very thankful for. Part of that is because you prayed for a client who is recovering incredibly well from his brain tumor surgery and now is able to continue his own duties. So we are both thankful for that! Now I have to ask you again for a very special person . He’s a little guy –only 9 years old and his name is Maddox. He is in the hospital. He needs his very high ketone levels to come down. Will you pray with me for that to happen? And very quickly too? I know you will. when you all prayed for me the last time, I was better. Still, I did eventually have to be in that hospital again as you know. And this continuous “visitation” is becoming  or already is just way over the top too much financially! So that was certainly part of the emotions rolling around in me today. I mentioned in my last post about stopping the gamma globulin infusions because my new doc had mentioned the side effects. Well, tonight I took a walk out in the internet world to see what I could find out about the side effects. How bad were they for others? What other effects are there? All those pertinent little questions…I hate to tell you that to my absolute horror, I found out that for a person with my history this was or should have been an expected event and not only the clots, but the meningitis also!!  I read that several doctors had pointed out that anyone with these factors should be carefully examined, followed, and at least told about the possible issues. I know that I was told nothing at all.  Nothing except that I needed this stuff like a diabetic needs insulin, but after reading very carefully, I don’t think so! Now I know I am dealing with the after effects of a somewhat wrecked body however temporary that might be, hundreds of dollars in medical bills, and certainly issues with future insurance should I decide to make a change. I guess i should be grateful I am alive to have to deal with anything, but right now, I am feeling my human anger at the cavalier attitude of doctors and the drug companies-and mostly at the drug companies. I don’t believe that my docs deliberately put me in harm’s way. they might have never read any of the materials  that I read tonight. 

Now I am sure  that everyone is saying, Wow, Cindy, what’s gotten into you tonight?  Well, I’ll tell you what I think and hope that it is. I hope it is righteous indignation! but I know that if I am off the mark, I will be hearing about it from the Lord as well as everyone else. But I believe that the laws are put out there for our protection and unfortunately no one is paying attention these days because there are more and more problems with the drugs that are out there. I don’t know what I am going to do about this if anything. but I am not going to be silent about it, that is for sure! I don’t think that would be right at all!  so I hope if you have an opinion about this, you will write me. If you have had a bad experience yourself, please tell me about it. I know I am not the only one  and I know people have died.

I have really gone out on a limb tonight and asked for your help. I hope you will give it. Please pray for Maddox. Please pray for me. I need strength and guidance, I need some financial return on my work. Only the Lord can make these things happen so please let me hear from you!

 

IF I SHOULD EVER LEAVE OUT JESUS, MY WRITINGS WOULD BE WORSE THAN ASHES

I had the time tonight to read a little of others writings–really almost going into a whole new world of ideas about a relationship with God, who He is,and how to find Him. At first I really thought I had stumbled onto something “new and better, deeper”. I am open to what the Lord would have me learn of Him. However what I found is exactly what I have always known (because God said in His Word) that EVERYTHING and I do mean EVERYTHING that I need to know about Him,His Son, the Lord Jesus, and His plan for me and for all others,  is contained in His Word.  Do you know that in Revelation 22:18 this is what God says about ADDING ON:

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this Book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

so I thought to only give a little warning to those who think that maybe someone or their teaching could lead them into a deeper relationship with our God and Father, King of the Universe, to be wary. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth as God Himself has promised. He said often enough, if you seek Me, you will find Me. And truly the only way I know to go deeper with Him is study and read and pray His Word. Anyone who takes away from that and says” no, listen, this is what I have learned by walking in woods and an angel came by and told me about a new Book to write…”  I say, ” RUN, RUN fast and run far.”

If you start to see  a proliferation of books or writings coming out that seem a little off: They talk about the coming together of all faiths and that this can be achieved by delving into your inner mind and achieving a blissful state to which all kinds of ideas flow–yes I bet they do right from the serpent’s mouth.  Our God and Father is very direct about HIS PLAN-it doesn’t include other faiths to other gods, be they man made, man thought up, or just worshipped by behavior and thought and deeds!  In the Gospel of John, 14:6 this is exactly what the Lord Jesus said about Himself:

I am the Way, the Truth and the Light. No one comes to the Father except through me.

I am very sure that He meant exactly what He said because scripture goes on to tell us that one everyone-that’s everyone that’s ever lived will bow their knee and head to Jesus, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.  I have read through the Bible and I have studied many of the  individual books in depth. I have never seen a single writing ever extolling another faith, another god. No our God says He alone is God that there was no one before Him and there will never be after Him because He is eternal. He has chosen to honor His Son as King of Kings for what work He did on the cross.  Maybe I should explain work on the cross? Because others were crucified too-is His death any more special or different physically than what others suffered? NO! but that’s not the work. The work is that the perfect Man who was also Holy God  allowed himself to be beaten, battered, whipped and crucified, taking the whole weight of the sins of the world from the first day forward to the end of the world onto Himself as He laid His life down. He was at that moment completely separated from His Holy Father. That was perhaps for Him, the greatest test of His love for us and for His Father.The Father turned His Back on His Son-WHY? Because our HOLY GOD simply could not look on all that sin-He had to turn away.  And I imagine that the Father in Him also needed to turn away. It would have been so easy to call down the angels and have an everybody get saved moment, I imagine. But that would not have finished it. Jesus had to die-He was the ONLY ONE that could pay such a penalty once and for all.  That is the work of the cross:  for me, for anyone who wants to accept that  sacrifice and gift of eternal life, now literally one can be born again, spiritually.  In  John 1:12 it says:

Yet to those who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become Children of God.

Notice it says received. Received here means chose Him, said yes, to Him and clarifies more strongly “to those who believed”. Surprise everyone is NOT a child of God! of course for the most part, you only have to look around you to see that, but I have spoken with people who were church members, teachers, preachers or priests even, who have also said, I have never asked Him in-I never knew I needed to. Well, I am certain that some of those people who are searching, they will find Him. Still the others, stuck in their theology or rules, regulations -all manner of things added on that never seek and never find-those are going to be some very unhappy people someday when Jesus holds out His hand and says,  You are not mine. I never was asked to your table, to live with you. You wanted your own way and now you can just have your  way out the door! 

well, I guess the Lord had something different and heavy to have you hear tonight. but I would plead with you that if you never have asked my Lord Jesus to come into your heart, that you would see the truth and not go to sleep without Him in your life! This is the Truth-check me out-read the Word yourself if you have questions-trust me on this: if you are truly a seeker the Lord will find you and you will find Him. It’s one of His great promises. Another is that He will never leave you or forsake you-ever, every, ever.

God bless you and keep you.

I’M BAAAACCCCKKK!!!!!!!

FIRST to all of my followers who have been so faithful to follow me here and yon. I promise i was just trying to make a better experience for everyone, it just didn’t turn out that way. So now we are back where we started with just a few little changes that Diane and I both think will make this blog an easier one to find, to follow and to respond to. Of Course SHE has done all the work! And I want everyone to know I could have never done any of this without Diane! From the first day that she commented on my site she was helping me. She truly has a servant’s heart. For that I think she deserves a grand award.  To show you all how much I love her, I attempted to find an appropriate  design  that I could customize a little. This award picture has taken most of my Saturday, but since I am supposed to be resting and not talking, I thought I was putting the time to good use. Except for all the talking I had to do to my computer to get it to cooperate! I even down loaded a program like photo shop-not that I have ever used photo shop, but I thought how hard can it be? Let’s put it this way- a fifth grader could have beaten me today! But this was a labor of love and I was determined!!  And so dear Diane, I hope you like my HUMANITARIAN AND BEST COMPUTER TECH AWARD  These are the rules: to be given The Award, the  person must have gone beyond the normal bounds to help a fellow blogger.  In the case of this award, it can include anything having to do with technology. For the person receiving the award these are the things they must do: List what two of their bucket list items are.  Tell us a deep,  desire you have never fulfilled.   Tell us who Jesus is to you.   I hope you know I love you Diane and thank you for all of the time and effort.

THE LORD IS WORKING ON MY TRUST FACTOR

And now it has been a  week again! This time, except for a couple of Doctor appointments, I was in all week, but once again dealing with a bacterial infection. and not much   voice either, but God has beenvery plain spoken with me and I have read the most wonderful  scriptures and devotionals t hat were directed right to me in terms of trusting and of course faith.

I have not been given permission to share all of this yet. but I will share what  I can.

the last 2 -3 weeks have been very difficult physically, regardless of being on antibiotics. I have still had C Diff which is not any fun to have  even if you are on meds. and it was still August, my worst asthma month-it has felt like I have had it all month. Now it  is September and I am starting it off the same way!  And not only me, but I have watched as my family has been attacked. My sister’s husband started his chemo this week. Part of  the “cocktail” is Rituxin. He was on it 20 min, when he started reacting.;He had hives, then the nausea , then a small seizure–all of  this totally freaked both my sister and my brother in law out.And did I mention her youngest son had been out with a virus for most of the week, and her car engine blew something up to the tune  $900$ She called me while I was on the phone with my new BSF Bible teacher–so we immediately prayed.  Then my daughter called. She was on the way to the hospital with my 7  yr old granddaughter. She had a pretty bad  case of bacterial pnuemonia!! I reassured my daughter as much as I could, reminding her that she had also had pneumonia twice one winter and her sister once!! That medically things were so much better now and that I was sure that our girl was going to be fine.I would be praying and so would all my great friends.  (of course I was right. the doc thought 4 days. she was only in for 2)

Suddenly my eyes were opened and I could see that my family is being attached even more than usual==I immediately got on my face before the Lord. I asked Him for  protection because I was going to have to confront this  devil -, I am even having to type this a third time-my words keep disappearing on me!  I remind you Satan who won? I did! Because of Jesus!! Go Back to Hell and Leave ME and MY FAMILY alone in the name of Christ Jesus the Son of the Living God!

So let’s go back to last Sunday night and my first scripture. I will type what I can, but there is a lot. I may have to let you look up too.  or I am send you to a particular blog .  Numbers 23: 19-20  God is not a man,  that he should lie, nor a son of man, t hat he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act?  Does he promise and not fulfill? I have received a command to bless;  he has blessed it, and I cannot change it

Is that not just the most beautiful 2 verses? And given to me 2 minutes after I asked for confirmation!  The Lord really wanted me to know, didn’t he?  And then the next day He sent me to Avie’s Place a blog I follow-what a wonderful teacher of the Word she is! Today is was Psalm 119:1658 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make you stumble.  I wait for your salvation, O Lord, and I follow your commands.  I  obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.  This post was about peace, the peace you get when you trust absolutely. and then I think this was next although I wondered why it wasn’t 2nd.  It is 1st Peter 5:8 -9   Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil  prowls around likes a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  Now you see why I needed this verse reminder a little earlier?    

Then we went to Ecclesiastes written by the way by Solomon -son of David, a man after God’s own heart When I read David’s story or even Solomon’s story or anyone’s story for that matter, I know once again that God can forgive anyone, anything, anytime, anywhere–JUST BECAUSE HE LOVES US.  But we do have to be obedient…as Solomon discovered late in life as he also finally found the purpose in life. He had looked for it everywhere,  in everything, But of course our purpose is only fulfilled in our Lord–when He fills up that hole in our hearts  we all come with  —and that hole is only filled by the Holy Spirit of God Himself, then, can you know your purpose. We will be talking about that in the future.”

So my week has been all about the Lord talking trust me, Trust me TRUST ME. The first night that He spoke to me, MY  Lord God said “Cindy, I love you, I love you, I love you, I  love you. ..but you don’t trust me.”…his first words almost and when I said,” no,I do trust you,” He again replied,”" no, you don’t trust me, but you will.”  I have come to find out that Trusting the Lord  with all my heart is the most important  thing to Him NEXT to  Honoring and Loving Him and Putting Him first in all Things.-which is the first and greatest commandment. And I will tell you that it is easier to follow than the learning to trust so completely. How very, very hard it is.But  it is what we are called to do and when the Lord singles you out for something and  He consistently confirms it,  You know you have to do it, even if it scares you, and it doesn’t seem the right thing to do. But Obviously I will know soon if I must do this thing.   and if I must then I will be calling  on you to pray for me like never before. I feel like the t he guy in the Raiders of the Lost Ark or the sequel when t hey   were looking for Jesus’ chalice from the last supper.  He had to take a step out on faith that there was a bridge when there was no evidence of a bridge–but of course as soon as he put his foot out there-it was there for  him. I am hoping for that for me. And I should be able to explain further later this week.

 

             

CONNECTIONS!!

I have often described myself as a conduit and truly that is what I feel like most days! What a fun, terrific feeling, knowing that My God has me meeting all of these wonderful different people. People that you just don’t walk out there and meet every day! let me see if I can describe what one connection did for me. I met Valerie who lives in London, UK on a website. We had a lovely chat there and then she called me a couple of days later and what a wonderful conversation we had. We both were trying to network and see how we could help each other. It turns out that Valerie helped me a lot more than I have helped her-at least so far. She introduced me to an attorney in Washington, DC. I said, “call me!”  So Tonya did call and we had a great conversation, infact, I want to speak with her more often. She really lifts me up! That day though she told me that she had lost her dad just 3 weeks previously; so of course, I told her all about GriefShare. I had her look it while we were on the phone and pick out a meeting close to her, with a convenient day and time. She said would go to it and we agreed to talk again later. The next thing I know she is introducing me to the lovely Janet -the author and coach I have already written about!  Janet is published and does her own publishing with Ebooks too. She is one of the ones who is guiding me through my process. She has been more helpful than she knows. Most of all, she gave me validation like ya’ll do whenever you come or comment. Ms. Tonya got busy again, and this time she posted a reference for me, recommending me as a legal recruiter. And she put it in the  very special group that she belongs to–ex-white house staffers! I didn’t know she had posted anything until I got an email from a  man with the perfect background, experience and education for a search I am doing with an associate. I didn’t know where he came from-his cover letter had mentioned that his wife had given him my contact info. But this guy is in the  midwest and Ms Tonya in DC, so it couldn’t be that way. I called Tonya anyway and she told me  about the “special group” she blongs to on LinkedIn. So full steam ahead, I called the candidate who actually had some time to speak with me and I got most of questions asked. His wife also would like to send a resume, he told me but couldn’t talk now would email her resume and make an appt with me. I got her resume that night. What an incredibly accomplished, smart woman she is!  She had been an undersecretary to the UN under GW Bush and that was the last job she had with him. Before that,  probably the things she had done in the White House and the Pentagon-let’s just say I was almost speechless! That’s a biggie for me! What has been nicest of all is that everyone is a believer-truly easy to talk with and work with; another area of peace I could do with  in my life.

Now can you believe all that came from one person’s referral? But that is what happens when you truly let go and let God take over your job or your business or in my case, what we call my practice. I know it’s not “me”, knowing me or listening to me. But I do know what a kick it is when someone you have invested in time wise and caring wise,  starts saying back to you all the things you have said to them because  now they are reaching out, most people for the first time. Are they so surprised when nobody bites their hand off!  Yes, they are surprised, but now they have experienced that “rush”. I would not equate it, because that would be so wrong-but Paul even spoke about this “rush” this feeling of incredible peace, love and goodwill that comes over you when you have shared Jesus and  of course it makes you want to do it again, and again.  It works, you know, time in, time out, regardless of the industry of the moment, the state of our union and the state of the people of the United States. They can try and ban everything, but what they can not ban is in each believers’ heart–that alone is going to keep believers going during the bad, hard times coming.

And then there was another connection I made through LinkedIn.  Just someone I ran across, saw the picture and the business and God said connect with her.  So I sent out an invitation and forgot about it. She called me Monday and let me know that she had been out of town, but now was back and could we talk? I spoke with her abut 4-5 min, when all of a sudden, she loudly said  STOP!, just STOP!  of course I did, I wondered, what had I said or done wrong this time?  I should have more faith in the Master and what He is about or I would not have thought that. Here is what she said. “Can I just tell you that 2 weeks ago, I prayed –I prayed for God to send me someone to help me. Someone with wisdom, who understood my business.” She continued ” I need help in knowing what direction to go, I need to get back to God and so many other things, Are you that person? And you are a Christian too? ” I answered, “yes and yes”. Deciding that we had much more to talk about than just a nice phone conversation, we arranged to meet for lunch.  I must say, I don’t ever think I have had a 2 1/2 hr lunch before, but it was marvelous, wonderful, and amazing. For the first time, I was speaking to someone who had really done some walking in my shoes in term of her personal life and her business life. Of course I can’t go into any details except to say that there is no doubt on our parts that God Himself put us together.  What was wonderful is her immediate commitment to some times and events that  will make such a difference in her life. Follow through is everything.

So you see why I might be excited all the time? I wish I were not so wordy, I would share more incredible connections that happened the week before. But I think I have said enough that if you want the same connections and excitement over what you are doing, You have to seek the Lord first. And when you have done that and trusted Him and the blessings start to flow, you know you are on the right path-you are at peace at last-which is just what you wanted all along.

PHILIPPIANS –The Love Book–finishing up the 1st Chapter

Oh Beloved ones! I have tried once, twice again to write, but have just been delayed in doing so. I have to believe when that happens, I am to wait to write. My Master who knows all things may be changing the circumstances, timing, days, people who knows what?, but  when He is ready, then I am ready. I have spent the last several weeks almost in a state of constant excitement and anticipation. I wake up like that and I go to bed very late because of that; I am looking and listening, reading the Word and communing with my Lord God. I went back to Philippians where I didn’t finish what I was exactly writing about. There are so many great passages in Philippians to quote from that, that is all you would get, so I am picking out the pieces of scripture in the book that mean so much to me, but I would urge you to read and study Philippians on your own as well–you might have a whole different way that means something to you that God speak to you through.

In the body of the first chapter, Paul is doing exactly what I do in bad, poor, horrible or otherwise situations: He is telling the Philippians that the fact that he is in jail is actually a good thing. It truly is, because he has shared the gospel throughout the jail and with all of the palace guard, which is probably the only way he would have been able to share.  He has told everyone that he has no care for comforts-that one place is as surely good as another. Paul’s whole concentration was on spreading the gospel of  Jesus Christ–just as it must be my concentration. Time is short, and yet there are so many who do not know Him! I would ask you this–at the very least you can share the Lord Jesus  within your sphere of friends and family.  I would hope and pray that you would do it because you loved them and because you believe the Father and Son and Holy Spirit when they say there  is hell yet for those who will not be reconciled.

Then Paul gives us some very important truths starting with verse 19. A long passage so I am cherry picking the verses to write:

I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance…I will not be ashamed but will have sufficient courage and hope that Christ will be exalted whether by life or by death. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am go on living, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I chose? I do not know! I desire to depart and be with Christ, but it is more necessary for you that I remain…Whatever happens…stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. For you will be saved–and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to  believe on Him,  but also to suffer for Him.

I will stop there at the end of chapter 1. You see what I mean? There is so much for us to understand and look forward to. I think    what was brought to my attention today,  is to remind everyone that the time is short and running out. I too sometimes long for the everlasting arms of Jesus–to be able to be in His presence and worship and not have to stop for one thing or another. Yet I too have those who need me here. God isn’t finished with me yet. Unfortunately, He still has so much work to do on me, but I am so grateful for my salvation and my relationship with Him. I never knew you could truly have a relationship with God like this. I was told that He would speak to me through scripture, but He uses many, many more avenues than that! When He wants to talk to you and you don’t want to, it is not worth it to fight it! Because of course, The Lord God Almighty always wins at everything. But I promise that whatever His Plan is, it’s better than yours–because you can’t see the future and He can. Because He has planned your future so that you can be completely fulfilled, knowing you are loved unconditionally by the King Of the Universe. 

I must address the last little phrase of the text.  As I have read a lot the last week, I have noticed once again how very often Christians are suffering. At first I thought, it’s just a new church, they will get used to it. Then there was the massive pulling away from Christ altogether as we seem to be doing in America now, and certainly Europe is anything but Christian.  And now in many countries people are dying for their faith or they are suffering because of that faith. In  1st Peter 4:16, Peter says if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. Oh Beloved ones! there are so many who will be shocked on that day of judgement! Proverbs 11:30-31 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!  or put another way in  1st Peter 4:18  If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?  We are living in interesting, exciting times. As I have said before, just look in the newspaper and look in your Bible…It’s coming…our day…but in the meantime, love people, see them as Jesus saw the-lost sheep without a shepherd. Know in your heart, that for those left behind, there truly may not be another chance. So don’t sit back, relax and read a book.  Get up, get dressed, get out there! Make a difference in someone’s life -not just now, but eternally!

Two Nights Without Asthma Issues! Prayers Answered! What A Wonderful Life!

My puppy dog likes to get up at six and if I haven’t already gotten up at 5 or 5:30, for sure I am up at 6. This gives me time to read the Word that the Lord has for me and some wonderful devotionals that I get online. Today’s messages were so strong that I felt I couldn’t wait all day to write what the Lord was saying to me. Bear with me, I am going to be in two different books and it doesn’t even look like they could be related, but they are, so stick with me.

My first reading was out of Jeremiah. I started in Chapter 16 and read through 23. I am not going to write out all of that this morning.  But there were little jewels in each chapter to shine the light on; to bring to the forefront because of the world we are living in. I think it is the most exciting time in history because every time you open a newspaper you can see prophecy being revealed as all of the things that God has said would take place are actually happening.  The first verse in chapter 16 refers to the remnant being gathered together to form the nation of Israel one last time. God says He is restoring them to the land He gave their Fathers. But He is talking future, because right now He is very angry with them and going to scatter them by the hand of the king of Babylon. Jeremiah does write at the end of that first chapter:

O Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, ” Our fathers possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good.  Do men make their own gods?  Yes, but they are not gods!” THEREFORE I WILL TEACH THEM, THIS TIME I WILL TEACH THEM MY POWER AND MIGHT. THEN THEY WILL KNOW THAT MY NAME IS THE LORD.

I would say that at such a time as this in our own nation, we should be coming to Him or ours will also go the way of the other nations that have scorned the Lord God Almighty.

In chapter 17, there were some special truths that stuck out at me this morning. Starting in verse 7  through 10

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water  that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.  The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.

Wow that says a lot in just 4 verses. First for me, it was convicting. Am I like the tree planted by the water. I know that water can be the word of the Lord God and yes, I am planted right next to it every day. But am I planted financially so that I don’t fear when heat (hard times) come? No, not any longer. However the lack of that has made me throw my total trust upon the Lord for His care and providence and I know that I have that every day, just as I see fruit of my witness every day. Did I always? Oh no, not at all.

And last but not least what God says about the heart! Oh, do I know it!! I have to keep a close eye on that heart of mine. It would like to act any way it wanted to anytime it wanted to-read whatever, see whatever movie or play or even TV show. But God has shown me that certain ones aren’t good for me. They may not bother the next person at all. For me though, they take my focus away from Him and of course that is not good for either of us. When The Lord is speaking to me about something I need to let go of –of course He has already examined my mind and heart and knows it all, yet I  sometimes still pretend,…”What are you talking about Lord, did I know do this and this? and now you want this?” But truthfully we both know I know exactly what He is talking about. What I have found out is that is it much simpler to just say Yes Lord. Obedience does bring its own rewards I have learned.

I see that I am going to have to skip over to Philippians as otherwise I would be writing so many words no one would read anything. I’ll come back to Jeremiah tomorrow and finish up.

Oh the precious book of Philippians! It was the first book study I ever did and so remains special in my heart. I know I won’t complete what I want to say about it either today and so will hope to finish it tomorrow with Jeremiah.

In the first chapter, verse 6 Paul starts with a very important verse. In fact, I base my life on this verse and then 9-11

Be confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus… And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with fruit of righteousness that come through Jesus Christ –to the glory and praise of God.

So now you know exactly why I was not afraid I was going to die of that pulmonary embolism I had in July nor of the asthma attack I had this week or of anything else that Satan may throw at me because I stand for Christ, my Savior. He has given me a task that is yet undone and so I will be here at least that long. The prayer that Paul prays is also certainly mine, just at Phil 6:19 is. (we’ll get there again) God is teaching me,  Himself and through organized formal Bible study, through my pastor, through my experiences-depth of knowledge and depth of insight-just what is good and pure and blameless. Who I should listen to, who I should give to in their neediness, who I should mentor? Discerning comes from that heart that God has examined and hopefully in my case, cleaned up enough to discern correctly HIS desires, not mine, not even my good inclinations because God’s desires, inclinations are perfect.

I  must stop here. There is so much more I would share, I thought I would have time to talk about what the great and mighty God is doing just in every day life connections for me so that I can continue helping others, but not today. Sounds like a long post tomorrow, doesn’t it! Well read what you can. Come back when you can. Know that you are beloved of the Lord God.