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://TotheAssemblywithLove.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.

 

Joyful Joyce and Amazing God

This past week has been such a roller coaster week of emotions, duties, responsibilities on so many levels. I have wanted to write every day, but no time. 

First, so thankful for the healing words of the Lord from my friend Calvin who assures me that the Lord has justified me and loves me and that I should follow His precepts which I have tried to do before and especially this week going forward. Sometimes, I realize I get a little zealous in my conversation from the every day to world events-last week was a biggie if you were watching Obama and Israel-to my own conversations and revelations from my Lord God and also from fellow bloggers. We don’t meet up ahead of time and all same we are going to blog on the same subject and have the same opinion but it happens over and over. And because we all are Christ followers led by the Spirit,  I believe the Lord is speaking through all of us to the world, so as I said last week, Take Heed!  All of us should be examining our lives to see if we can offer ourselves as living sacrifices to our Lord. And even as I say that, I am wondering if you know what I mean or what the Word means as it is written?  Of course everyone knows what living is, but the dictionary defines sacrifice as the offering of something precious to  deity; loss,deprivation.  Ok , so I am offering my Precious self to my Lord-He says I am precious to Him. and then secondly, the loss and deprivation part: well, that’s exactly what nobody wants to do anymore. We want what we want, when we want it, how we want it; no doing without it, or waiting on it. No having it and losing it.  All of this is one of His precepts for me, besides the trust factor! And guess what this is a hard one too! I am used to going and getting just what I want, when I want it. Now I am in a position where I can not do that in regards to physical possessions. But I have found that even in regards to those that I can have, I am really careful and selective now. I ask myself, what do I really need? Not just want? And I have found that as I am faithful to Him in the small things, He is so faithful to me in the BIG things. Just this week, one more time I was amazed at the overwhelming care of people for my needs that I truly had no expectation of except advice, not tangible help–but even the way that it was given, with such love and care and assurance, it alone brings you to your knees. Thank you Father!!

Second roller coaster was finding out that the gamma globulin that I get monthly for my immunity disorder does have a very rare side effect. Guess what it is? yep, you got it! Clots! And here, supposedly,  I have had  2 in the first year of taking it!  Of course, now the doctor can not raise my dosage either as he was going to do because I have continued to catch the bacterial infections, virus’, and  mold infections that come with this immunity. so what to do? After talking and prayer, we are going to ask to be taken off of the drug.  We will consult with both the MS neurologist and the immunologist who both have said this side effect is so rare ,  but then neither of them know me very well yet, do they? I was also supposed start testing in April for food and drug allergies because for months now I have been waking up with severe itching and hives. It started off that I could just take a couple of Benadryl tablets and go back to sleep but now I usually awaken 2 or 3 hours later and have to take more. Not good. Last night, I tried an experiment. I didn’t take anything except my Coumadin. “that’s the blood thinner I ‘ve been on since last July when I had that embolism–and yes I’ve been itching at least that long.” And sure enough, here it came, very strongly last night. so here is another one to talk to the doc about. Finding out I have sticky blood wasn’t the greatest thing either, but it certainly explained a lot of things-the multiple miscarriages and the tendancy to  make clots. Lots of up and down emotional moments in the decisions, in the new knowledge, in the gratefulness for the new knowledge.

And then there was Joyful Joyce!  Joyce Zahner was the 85 year old mom of my half/way adopted sister Julie. Julie is the same age as the sister who lives in Orlando and has done so much for me and with me. She and Julie were inseparable from the moment they met and their friendship has stood the test of time. And to me, Julie was a little sister and then a friend and babysitter for my two children when they were little before I married my husband. So the Zahners have been in my life, one way or another since I was 16. In the years past when we were visiting in Atlanta, we were often invited out to Julie’s house where she lives with her 2 children and great husband and very often Joyce would be there too. Over the years, Joyce began the same decline that my mother did. She had dementia. It was hard for her as she had been a very smart professional woman. But Joyce never dwelt on circumstances, she drew from within that joy that only comes from the Lord and had peace as she drifted more and more into another realm. She always had a smile on her face. She always was telling you she loved you and you knew that she meant it. And then on her 85th birthday, not long ago, God did a wonderful thing-a little extra birthday present-He gave her a day of clarity. How wonderful that was! And most of it captured on video to be visited and revisited time and time again. At the end of it all, Joyce let her family know that she knew she was going home to her Savior soon.She was tired and so she was ready. She was very careful to give her last instructions about her grandchildren to her daughter whom she loved so much-holding her face between her hands, looking her in the eye and speaking! How very, very precious is that? How amazing is our God to know that we still need our moms to tell us stuff, important stuff? And we all know that after months and years of decline with less and less moments of clarity–to be given a DAY!!  Our God is such a Loving FATHER and He Knows Just What We Need.

On Saturday, March 16th at 11:45 am, Joyful Joyce went home. This past Thursday and Friday there were joyous celebrations of her life at two churches that we attended. I am very sure that Joyce was watching and laughing and smiling as we all talked of our memories of Joyce. And I am sure too that she would have loved the message of hope and salvation given by the pastors and by the family and friends through the scriptures read and the testimonies given that faith and hope and love were so important to Joyce. Of course, Joyce was warmly welcomed by so many friends in heaven, my parents among them. I am sure they are all up there telling there stories about all of us. 

The glory in all of this to me is that God was so kind to me to let me experience growing up in a family that taught me faith-whether I embraced it or not immediately-I KNEW what was true. He has surrounded me throughout my life with family and friends who love me and whom I love dearly. And now he has placed me back home to be in the middle of them. I say perfect timing, Lord! Thank you!

Jeremiah 29:11-13  For I know that plans I have for you , declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart.

AND THE LORD KEEPS HIS PROMISES!

Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I obey your word. You are good, and what you do is good; teach me  your decrees. ..  I keep your precepts with all my heart…I delight in your law. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold…Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.  Palm 119 67-74

I first wrote and underlined this passage in my Bible in June of 2011. I had just gotten home from the hospital after a bout with my asthma. This time the Lord did a lot of work while I was there. I have come home tired! He sold my sofa to one of the nurses and everywhere I turned there was someone to share with! My roommate, her husband, my nurses, even my student nurses. It really was glorious! And this was the scripture the Lord gave to me.

I know O Lord, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me. May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is your delight…I will mediate on your precepts…May my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.

Then the Lord brought me back  there 2 months later. ..It seems I hadn’t been studying His precepts thoroughly enough, nor did I have an adult’s comprehension of the passage-just a child’s. So I prayed-and prayed that he would give me a hope that this feeling  would be understood as an adult. To that end, He started giving me passages on health. I always thought they were for someone else-more deserving-but on  August 26 of this year, I got a new scripture. I even told ya’ll not to get too excited! But I was excited-because it did seem for me as I could find nothing for anyone else! this time the scripture is from Jeremiah 17: 7-10,14-15

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, who 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…Heal me , O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved for you are the one I praise.  They keep saying to me, “Where is the word of the Lord ? Let it now be fulfilled” 

I first gave you those verses on August 18th and September 3rd. Then I was due for my Remecaid on September 14th.  Now these dates are important. USUALLY  by the week before the Remecaid is given, I have started hurting-not this time and certainly the week of, or absolutely, positively the week after. But as I write this, I don’t have any pain! Is that not the greatest thing in all the world?  So I would say that this is proof positive that the Lord God keeps His Promises! (now that I know this-there will be forth coming announcements)

I AM TRUSTING HIM FOR IT ALL!

I hope and pray and trust that you have all read my previous post ‘Prologue Present Day’ and approve.

This week including last Sunday night has been a most difficult week in some ways and then in others, so exciting and celebratory, It was very hard to keep my mouth shut about some things, until I was sure of them.  You see, when I was in that clinic a week and a half a go, I was just sitting waiting for the CBC to done and praying that I wasn’t septic. I certainly had all of the signs. And then all of a sudden, the Lord God says to me, “Cindy you will not get rid of the bacterial infections that you have until you come off of the Remicaid!” If I could have screamed out loud there, I would have!  I could NOT believe that My Father who had seen me suffer so much last year when I had to be off of the medicine for 4 months, would ask me to voluntarily go off of it again. I began to “discuss” this with Him. Of course Discuss is another word for argue, and I have learned a long time ago that the Lord is going to win every argument! But STILL, this wasn’t about winning or losing  or being strong in the faith, it was simple, crippling pain. And not only that the disease itself would progress unchecked and who knew what kind harm it would do?

But then my Father said the magic words ” You don’t trust me!”  Oh yes, I do, my Father, I do. And He said, “I will take care of you through this”.  So what does that mean? Will I have no pain? Am I healed? I don’t know. I know that two great men of God had prayed for my healing.  I know that He has healed me before very miraculously and He got all the glory and honor due Him. Maybe He is going to heal me completely from RA. and/or everything else! Oh that would be a kick and maybe I wouldn’t long for heaven to be here so very soon!

Still, I did ask for confirmation from the Lord. Those were the scriptures I shared with you last week and do you know-every day since it has been one thing or another that  has continued that confirmation? I do thank Him for that because TODAY  I stepped out in Faith. I called my Rheumatologist and told him what God had told me, and retesting confirmed that I still have the bacteria.  He said you know we have to stop everything. I said “I know. but I’ll tell you on Friday why I am not crying and panicking.”  He said “Great I can’t wait to hear”. Now this is my very sweet, nicely brought up in Catholic schools all his life, Doc. But, he still hasn’t come to know my Jesus personally. I have many Catholic Christian friends as I call them, just like I have Baptist Christian friends. Your denomination means nothing to God. It is all about the relationship you have with HIM that makes the difference.  So be praying that our Lord gives me all the right words to speak to my Doctor so that he knows exactly what is happening and who I am putting my faith and trust in.

So my new side job for my book,  is editing the posts for length sometimes or repetitiveness. I have to write an outline of what I intend to include. I decided the only way I can do that is to go through each post. So while you may not see a lot of me for awhile, I may post something for everybody’s approvals or thoughts, but that is what I am working on.

With our world looking like it is going to hell in a hand basket lately, I’ve decided I at least need to be involved in the project that the Lord has given me-whether I finish it or not..

Cindy

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.

A GIRL’S MIRACLE HEALING retold with permission from imaseeker

Dear Ones, I was sent this in addition to a comment from my post the other night. I wanted to share it so that you can see what our Lord  Jesus is doing in other places. Actually all over the world, He is appearing in dreams and visions just as the scripture said that He would. Sometimes this is the only way, for that pure hearted seeker to come to Him. But God did say, if you seek me you will find me-and so is obligated help that seeker find him!  Here is where a young girl is being healed a little more and more every day after being brought to the worship services they had. ” Wherever two or more are gathered together in my name, there I will be also”

URL :

http://washedfeet.wordpress.com

“Something miraculous is taking place at our Erev of Shabbat’s. We have a small group that meets, the Mother of the house we meet at is descended from a line of Rabbi’s of Damascus Syria. She is a believer in Yeshua.

About 2 months ago a friend brought her children to join us and the 20 yrs old daughter has a crippling disease from birth and has never walked. The Doctors said she would not live past 4. Last week with help she raised off the couch and took steps across the room without help, just like a toddler taking first steps. She leaned forward and walked across the room into the arms of my friend who is Husband of the house. She made it back to her seat and played the tambourine during our worship. Someone said “worship the Lord” and she clearly spoke “I am”, she uses signs and I have not heard her speak before.

Last night she had help getting to her twisted feet, but she danced holding hands in a circle and even let go and stood alone, dancing in the midst of our group. Joy filled the room and everyone was so blessed, some had tears of joy and everyone’s heart was warmed.

My friend called  today that after we had left, she got off the couch all by herself and ran across the room again into my friends arms and back to the couch. Later she was put to bed in the bedroom but came running out later all by herself to the kitchen to get her iPod and sat back in the living room. Her mom said this has never happened before in 20 years.

My mom says she has seen miracles before, but never like this and neither have I. It’s like she is being healed a little at a time each week getting stronger. Her mom says “it’s the Shabbat”.

Praise be to God

“I Talk About God Too Much” Deuteronomy 11:18-19

My 2 oldest granddaughters came to visit us last weekend.  Saturday afternoon I took the youngest one with me (7) and the oldest (9) stayed with her granddaddy. She likes helping in the kitchen and they were cutting up vegetables. Of course the Justice  store for girls was right next to my store and is the kids favorite store, so we just had to go in there , Mimi!! I was told! Lucky for me, there was a huge sale going on and also lucky for me I had learned to check  through my phone to see if there were any online coupons! There were! I scored 40% off of the total purchase which was already 40% off! Yes, I have to be cheap. I have to be a good steward this time around.  This coming week is the older one’s 10th birthday and for the first time in a long time, I was able to take her to the store and let her pick out what she wanted and what fit. The girls although close in age, are not at all the same when it comes to taste in clothes. Nor do they fit them or wear them the same!

We were on our way home when the young one says “Mimi, you talk about God too much” then she added that her sister thought so too. I asked her why she thought that. She said we just weren’t talking about regular things–I asked what regular things-so she thought about that a minute because it’s school, ballet, playdates,  I need this or that! She laughed and said yes. and said, I guess we wouldn’t talking about stuff like me and my parents talk about everyday;  and of course, I agreed with her. Then she turned the tables on me, and asked me about who made the rainbow.  By then  we had arrived home, as we got out of the car, I asked her to look at the front yard and then up in the sky and tell me all that she saw.  Of course she saw all of God’s  creation. Then I said  to her to come on  in the house, we’d get her sister and the Big Bible with pictures and talk over why I love to talk about God so much.

That was exactly what we did. First I explained that although they hadn’t known that I had been very, very sick in the last 2 years, I was.  And that just the day before they came, I had gotten out of the hospital again and yes, it was serious but God wasn’t ready for me to come to heaven yet…Like my parents …they remembered their deaths over 3 yrs ago.  So first of all I am thankful to God that I am able to be here  with you. But the most important reason that I talk about Jesus is because I love Him so much for His sacrifice for me–then we had to talk about what a sacrifice was. They got that. Then we opened the Bible to answer the question about the rainbow. So I read the whole story and of course there were a million questions, but then there are lots of  other pictures in that Bible and they wanted the story on each one of them.. When we finished, I asked now do you understand why I talk about God or Jesus so much? Yes, now they understood .  They would understand by some of my questions of them too.

The Bible has a lot to say about teaching our children. I know we can not cram it down their throats like little birds, but sometimes I wish it were so. It would certainly save a lot of heartache if one really learned the important lessons when they are young. This is the scripture that reminds how often I am to speak of the Lord to my children and their children.  Deuteronomy 11:18-19  Fix these words of mine in your hearts and mind;  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the  road, when you lie down and when you get up.    All the  time it seems I am  to be talking about my LORD GOD  to my children and their children. Jesus made that command even greater by opening up the world as brother and sister in Christ are united, then we must teach  those children too.

Todays’ News-Aurora Colorado Mass Shooting

In Isaiah 24-most of the chapter is about how the Lord God is going to devaste the earth-this will happen in those last 7 years before Jesus comes back to triumphantly defeat Satan at Armageddon.  Already we are seeing the beginnings of this as our world’s face is ruined and people scattered due to “natural weather events” which are more violent, more often, in evey place in the world than ever in history.

Now we have mass killings starting-sometimes for stated reasons- like in the name of Allah, or “we hate everybody–but in Colorado, just a guy who went into a theatre armed and ready to kill and once done, just giving up to the police-no explanation, no brave words. I guess he didn’t like the movie! Of course this all plays into our Attorney General’s hands and his “we have no right to have guns policy” and his determination to get rid of what we Americans have always considered our inalieable right to bear arms. He will say if we had a no guns policy this would not have happened. I say if you are the criminal element, you can always put your hand on a gun. It will be the average citizen who will be hurt in this.

Still, the reason for my writing this morning is not my particular soap box, but to call you to pray for these families who have been suddenly hit by death or were one of the more that 40 wounded.  Pray this :You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord , the Lord is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26: 3-4

Remeber, the countdown has started in heaven. Things are only going to get worse here. Don’t delay your witness to your loved ones, your friends, your neighbors. What will it matter what they think when very soon they are facing eternity without a safety net? The ONE you could have told them about-if you believed enough, cared enough, loved enough-because this is what it comes down to. Satan will get them otherwise.

Oh how I love you all with the love God has put into my heart! How I understand so much better Paul’s writings now and his willingness to be poured out for those so that they too could know his Savior. As I told a Doctor this week, after you’ve had the Lord in your corner in the ER, how could you not tell everyone you meet of HIM and His love for them-and His Plan for their Salvation?

Hebrews 1 and 2 Part 2 From the Hospital Stay

In Hebrews 2:9-18, God gives us the reason for the whole plan. This is terrific. I will quote a little and try and explain a little (at least to my understanding now)

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.  a note here is very important. When Jesus was on that cross, God turned His back on Him and They were separated for the first time in eternity. God The Father in Heaven, could not look upon the sin that Jesus took upon Himself as the scapegoat. And as the scapegoat He was paying the sin debt for every human being ever born, whether the gift was accepted or not.  In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God  for whom and through  everything exists, did you get that?  Think about that little phrase and what it means! we’ll get back to it another time. should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. So we called brothers and sisters in Christ, because He has made us holy-When God looks at me, Jesus is standing right in front of me and I look holy right now, even though I am not yet holy as I will be in heaven. But all because of Jesus, God’s wrath is not upon me, His eyes are full of love and compassion and He knows my heart, the deepest longings, and because the Holy Spirit lives in me and is God and knows; He can pray for me in spiritual prayers when I have no more words.  He says, I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises. And again, I will put my trust in Him and again he says,  Here am I and the children God has given me. Since the children have flesh and blood he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death–that is the devil–and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death…For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God and that He might make atonement  for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.  So the Lord has given us the exact reason that He implemented the whole blood debt payment, who would pay it (himself as Jesus) and that because Jesus took on what the Father asked of Him separation by the weight of the sins of the world and then death for 3 long days, the Father elevates Him so that (back to chapter 1, vs 8-9 your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever and righteousness will the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness, therefore, God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. He also says in the beginning , O Lord you laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens are the work of your hands…Through these scriptures, I don’t think you can get more validation than what is so clearly written here;  along with the reasons that God chose to do it that way. Our God who really shouldn’t have to explain anything, but I ask Him to all the time…

The other part I wanted to go back to was where He has become our merciful and faithful High Priest. I have heard it said many times that because Jesus has experienced life as a human being, He can also explain that feeling back to God our Father  in a way that He knows exactly because they are one …. I believe He can actually transfer or make the Lord God feel the same things He is feeling as the Son.  That is what a High Priest does-he takes my place. He knows my heart, my feelings, my sin and because I have accepted Jesus as my Savior, Lord and High Priest, he can literally feel it from me to Him. Not that our God needs to be burdened with every little thing, but He says He does. He says He knows the number of hairs on my head. I am sure  He knows my thoughts, because I can barely speak them to Him and He can be answering me back.

So many may be saying okay for you or it’s easy for you to say.  No it isn’t. It has been hard-won. I hate the wasted years, they are my fault. But Glory to God that it’s never too late. There is nothing you or anyone can do that would turn His love away from you except that you reject Him.  I can’t even imagine such love and yet I think I am full of love because I am full of Him-but that is how much He loves you. Think on these things. If nothing else, be sure that you are right with Him before you meet Him face to face-because like me, you never know. He said be ready. I am. He’s coming soon.

A Familiar Passage John 14:7-14

I can’t begin to do justice to this passage. It is so deep with meaning in different directions-but I am following just one today early as I read it and tonight before I sleep as I read it again. Key verses for me are  if you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.  Philip said, ” Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”.  Jesus answered” don’t you know me,  Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say ‘Show us the Father?’ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me? The Words I say to you are not just my own. rather it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in my name so the  Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it.

So for me, the parts that made the Holy Spirit in me stand up and shout were:I am in the Father and He is in me. And that seeing Jesus is seeing the Father, knowing Jesus is knowing the Father. This is a huge concept even today!  We get up every morning and go through our days and pay some attention hopefully to the Lord in some way, shape or form-we have dinner, play with the kids, bath routine, bed routine, and tomorrow it starts all over again. What for? We know Jesus. We claim to. He says that knowing him is knowing the Father. The Father, Our creator of heaven and earth, who by His very thought keeps everything together and in motion. So what ? Well, if you plan to go to heaven instead of hell you might give some thought to getting to know the God of the Universe, King of all Kings. He is a BIG GOD. He is not a benevolent old man up there administrating heaven! He is a HOLY God and He says we should be HOLY as HE is HOLY. How can we do that? That’s like telling me to quit drinking water. I can’t talk without it. How do I be Holy?

And then there is the final part of that passage.  the Son wants to bring glory to the Father, period and as long as what you ask is going to bring glory, he says you may ask me for ANYTHING in my name and I WILL DO IT. This is where you find out what brings Him glory-sometimes its the smallest thing, because it pleases Him to please us/me. This is where you learn trust. Because you believe that He will do what He says He will do. For me this was a harder road than I would have ever believed. I thought I trusted. But I didn’t. God knew I didn’t. He told me so. And then He said…but you will. I would tell you it is so much easier to do it His way in the beginning than your own way. You will find in searching for that peace and trustworthiness in every other place but God’s House, that it was right here waiting for you all the time.

One other thought-when we answer that door and invite Him in. the Holy Spirit comes in to stay. This is where again, you trust, because your mind can’t get around the idea of the Trinity. But this is what I know. the Holy Spirit is God also. So just as the Father was in Jesus and Jesus was in the Father, so is the Father in the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit in Him. And like Jesus, all things are said and done to glorify the Father who sits on the throne of the Godhead. Now think about this, don’t miss it; the Holy Spirit which is in the Father and the Father is in Him is also in You. That means that the Father is also in YOU. This is truly the greatest of all gifts that the God of the Universe, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, our Creator of all things could give, He is IN YOU. He makes you able, Jesus says to do things even greater than He did. I am not talking about those things this morning-just His indwelling and the miracle of it all-but do you see now why He would say Be Holy as I am Holy?  You are my Righteousness? Your body is the Temple of God? this is all why.

There are so many other important parts in this particular passage, but these spoke to me today. How long do I have to have those quiet times with my Lord in the morning? either because He has come for me, or persecution has-and I’ll be the first to go. Because we are so close-on the very edge of eternity. I am so ready for this and then I think of beloved friends and family that I know don’t know my Lord Jesus and I think, tarry, just a little while more…surely they will come. if you are that person, don’t wait another day, another hour, another minute. Don’t take the chance. He’s standing at the door and knocking still, may I come in???