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://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.

 

MR. WONDERFUL

I do praise my husband! I think he is God‘s gift to me-and certainly the other half of my heart! There is nothing that he has not done for me! And I do mean nothing! From taking care of me physically after surgeries and sicknesses to what he does in our home in care of that and all that goes with it, I am amazed and forever grateful. And now as we start on a new chapter in our lives, moving back home to Atlanta, he again has taken the brunt of the responsibilities in the packing and arranging for the move. What a very long month this has been for him! I know he is going to be so glad when we arrive on the 31st to family who have made arrangements for professional movers to unload us and as they will be there to help us unpack and settle in-at least the greatest physical part of his job will be over.  Then starts his

Cindy/honey-do tasks as he calls them where he hangs pictures and draperies and fixes hooks in closets and whatever else he can find to make this a comfortable home. Yes, I would call him, Mr. Wonderful.

 

I wrote that in January and here is it the first of April and if it were the thing to do I would take pictures to show you the home God has given us!  It is amazing because

Mr. Wonderful has been at it again. He hasn’t stopped as he has figured out how to make the best use of the space we have-sometimes I see pure genius at work. My sister visited recently and was amazed at how everything fit so well and was so cozy. I think I have already said how much I like everything!

 

And now as he had tenderly cared for me after this latest stroke—was so loving and patient with me because I was slow in the beginning, but now I am SO much better. I know that our Lord is answering our prayers, prayers of all of you as well, and I do thank you from the bottom of my heart. God wants us to pray. He had Jesus Himself show us how to pray and we have Jesus as an example of how important prayer is –so don’t let that part of your life ever go!

But tonight I am thanking God for MY MR.WONDERFUL

GOD SPEAKS!!!

I was listening to a sermon online tonight from Palm Sunday. I was visiting the church site to see who and what they were about as you really couldn’t tell from the name. but oh, how I got blessed by all the reading I did and then the listening I did to the sermon…

There was one big important principle: “When God speaks, He really means what He says!” Let me give you an example:

Genesis 1:1…27   In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was dark and formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. God SAID let there be light, and there WAS light…And God SAID let there be an expanse between  the waters to separate the water under the expanse from the water above it. AND IT WAS SO…God SAID let the water under the sky be gathered to one place and let dry ground appear. AND IT WAS SO…Then God SAID Let the land produce vegetation: seed bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their kinds. And God SAW THAT IT WAS GOOD.

Are you getting the picture here? God speaks and He really means it. Of course from there He went on to personally hang the moon and the sun and put the stars out one by one. He knows them all by name and they make music back to him. I know I blogged about that a couple of years ago (see Psalms 148) And after the sun and the moon, here comes the creatures, flying, crawling, racing, thumping, scampering, even, slithering, or just moseying along like cattle do. And finally here is the sixth day. Only He can do it justice:

God said, “Let us make man in our image in our likeness…So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Do you notice  that the fact that we are created in His own image is apparently so very important that God repeated TWICE? He created us to be a reflection of Him! Of course I could get on my platform and talk about how none of us, not one of us is close to a reflection of Him. I could talk about the state of our America and a poll I saw this week that said 73% of Americans are ok with same sex marriage-this was from a very conservative pollster! But I only want to talk about what God has said to me today to write for me and for you possibly. There is so much promise is this scripture that I am excited to see what God is going to do! Because I know I can’t do it-Without Him I can do nothing at all, but these days unless He leads the way and pushes me from behind, I might not make it there. But now I know that I will. I have every confidence that I will. All because of Jesus !! So the rest of my post is from the book of Joel, a great prophet of the Lord, both for Israel then and for us now. Remember, keep watching!

Joel 2:12-13″Even now, ” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate slow to anger and abounding in love,  and he relents from sending calamity.

        25-26  I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten -the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm-my great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.

28-32   And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.  Even on my servants, both the men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. the sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And everyone who calls upon the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the survivors whom the Lord calls.

May I say that the first section is our chance to make everything right with the Lord right now. The  second section says to me that He will restore to my life the years that the locusts have eaten-even if I was allowing it! Oh and He does mean that literally too. Israel has been attacked horendously by locusts! If THIS is happening now and the Lord says He is there and that His people won’t be shamed again–well, sounds like trumpets to me!!  The third passage speaks of two times right now, because indeed we are seeing the Lord’s Spirit poured out all over the globe where people are hungry for Him; there is prophecy and I know for a fact that in particular Muslim men, the old ones dream of Jesus, the young see visions of Him. These are the Muslim men who honestly seek after God. And He says, if you seek me you will find me. And finally we have certainly seen the wonders of the heavens showering down among us and the incredible increase in volcanic activity over just the past 18 months! I do think based on some teaching I have had that the Moon and the Sun happenings do wait until the Tribulation.

So GOD SAID! DO YOU BELIEVE IT?

OH GLORY! OUR GRACIOUS LORD ANSWERS!!

I have just come home from one of the most glorious Good Friday Services  I think I have ever attended! The Holy Spirit was there and just blessing us through the music and through the speaking of the Word. What was really special was that my sister had arranged with a couple of her “prayer warrior friends” to anoint me and pray for me before the service. What was REALLY GREAT was that my foot woke up! It had been asleep since I woke up “frozen” that Friday morning the 15th! Now that gives  me REAL HOPE that the rest of the things they prayed for me will happen as well. This important because today I was referred to a hematologist because they can not get my blood numbers to stabilize with the Coumadin I am on. It doesn’t seem to matter if I am on a lot or a little. I can have way too much or way too little-like today-way too little, but two bad nose bleeds and I’ve never had those before! That’s like the opposites of each other! How many times have I remarked I am strangely and wonderfully made??

Now let me tell you about MADDOX!  About midnight right after I posted my request that you pray for him, and you must have started immediately, because his mother said the ketones started coming down after midnight and NOW HE IS HOME! HOME FOR EASTER!! THANK YOU DEAR ONES WHO LOVE JESUS  AND LITTLE ONES TOO!  I found out that Maddox has to have insulin shots 5 times a day. I say, let’s all pray for his total healing so that this is not something he has to deal with the rest of his life. Let him learn early the healing touch of Jesus. So Please Pray and I will let you know when the Lord heals him.   

Now I will close with this blessing from Hebrews about the BLOOD of Jesus which is the only reason we are all here today together and looking forward to celebrating His resurrection on Sunday–because without that shedding of BLOOD There would have been NO RESURRECTION to celebrate.

Hebrews 13: 20-21  May the god of Peace who the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead  our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equp you with everything good for doing his will and may he work in us what is what is pleasing to him through Jesus  Christ, to whom be glory for ever  and ever.  Amen. 

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!

 

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.

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.

A CHALLENGE FOR EVERYONE

You always know that the Lord is telling you something important and specific when all of your devotional and Bible study material come together! As you all know we are in a new place. Relearning our way around, renewing friendships, finding a new church home, and for me figuring out how I might fit in this Atlanta market have made this a challenging first month (and a few days).  I’ve been asking for particular guidance and finally I think I have some answers -which are not new principles by any stretch- or any new revelation-but simply the Lord saying what He has said for generations to anyone like me who has asked the same questions- “Follow my Precepts”. Ok,  then let’s look at what His Precepts might be.  The dictionary says that a precept is a command or a principle intended as a general rule of action or conduct. So Biblically,  God wants me to follow His commands for my conduct and my actions. How do I find out what those commands might be so that I can follow them? The only Book that God wrote is His Holy Bible and it was written to instruct us and to guide us as so many denominational statements about the Bible and their belief in the Bible were stated for the world to know what they believed. Now, let me stop right here as say I am not going to attack any denomination for what they have or have not done. This is NOT about any of THAT.

As I read the scriptures that have the word precept in them, they pull me in a whole different direction. Let me show you. I can’t write out as much scripture as I would like to but I hope you will bear with me as God is leading me as I write this and I will put in what He wants. The first scripture to mention the word precept in Psalm 19:8, but this is one of those times that if you only read the one verse, you will not get the whole meaning of the passage.

Psalm 19:7-14 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The .precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.  The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.  The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether  righteous. They are more precious than gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from a comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.  Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgressions. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer

Now can you see why it was important to have the verses around verse 8 written out too? It gives a whole different feeling and prospect to the passage. It becomes very important now. You take notice! The first thing I did was  to see if indeed I have joy in my heart, light in my eyes? I have to tell you that my eyes weren’t as bright as they have been-because again I am asking and seeking.  But my joy is there!  and do you know why? Because joy is a gift of the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t depend on circumstances to be joyful-it just is. And when I let that joy go and think of all the wonderful blessings that  I have and the answers to questions that I do have, well, the joy just gets bigger!  Then think about the fear of the Lord. This simply means  to revere Him.  So often flippant language about God , the relationship or prayer, or a story will reveal a lack of reverence for His true Presence. I know I can admit it because I am forgiven those times I have been flippant. It is easy in our world today, very easy not to give Him the Utmost Reverence. Wait what does reverence really mean? Worship and adore, honor and respect; four little words that are probably the most important words in our language. I would add two more, forgiveness and acceptance.  A person can live a life pleasing to the Lord and to his fellow man if he practices those  six words. wow, six little words could change your world, could change my world.  Worship, Adore, Honor, Respect, Forgiveness and Acceptance.  Anybody up for a trial, that you would be willing to really try and live these six words just for a week? Keep track of anything different in peoples’ attitudes or your attitude in your quiet time,  and then next week, let me know?  And of course I will be doing it too. I can’t ask ya’ll to do something I wouldn’t do. So now it is on my calendar to tell ya’ll of my experiences as well.  I just bet we’re all in for something Good!

Psalm 111:1-10  Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered. The Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him ; he remembers his covenant forever. he has shown his people the power of his works,giving them the lands of other nations. The work  of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are steadfast forever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.  He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever– holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

I don’t know about ya’ll but I think we are onto something good here! This is real life  stuff. Our Lord knew that we were concerned about paying the bills, our home, our clothing, our children, even education–because He addressed every issue in His Word.  We are living in perilous times, certainly what I believe as so many other Bible believing Christians do,  the last days. Ours is the first generation that could spread the gospel literally to every part of the world. Our Lord said when that was done, to look for Him, because He was coming when that was done. The Prophets wrote of signs in the heavens and signs in the earth. I would say that we certainly have had an up tick of those events–all the more reason to try our little experiment. I look forward to hearing from each one of you.  May the Lord God bless you for your efforts.

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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)