2011 REFLECTIONS; WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN; WHAT WAS; WHAT IS TO COME

The worn calendar of 2011 has come to the end of its usefulness; there are no more pages to be turned and only 3 more days to mark off.  It is time for reflection on “What could have been; what was, and what is to come.” 

It really began December 31, 2010, celebrating with many people I love and had come to love.  Yes, where else?  CHURCH!!!  I love being in a church service on New Year’s Eve.  It is so joyful, so full of promise.  There is always great food, fellowship and so much love; this service was all that and more.  The music was beautiful; the worship dynamic, Steve preached a “forward-looking” sermon and presented the agenda for the coming year.  The power of God fell in the service, people were renewed in the Spirit and we had the general feeling that “God was well pleased.”  My humanness reflects and says, “If only it had ended there,” but my spirit man understands I still need some “testing and proving.”

I hear so many people expressing how happy they will be to wave goodbye to 2011 and welcome 2012 as the clock strikes midnight.  Really, does a minute in time or a page on a calendar make the difference?  Or is it all the experiences over the last 525,600 minutes of 2011 that will carry you into 2012 with a different perspective.

Once again in human terms, 2011 was not one of my best years.  It was full of tears, brokenhearted nights, unbelievable stress, depression, previously, unexperienced health problems, endless hours on my knees, answered and unanswered questions.  In spiritual terms, however, 2011 was a GREAT year, full of blessing and amazing encounters with God.  It is not the EXPERIENCE that makes the difference; it is how you “COME OUT” on the other side of the experience.  What did I learn?  How did I handle the situation?  Have I been changed into the person God needs me to be?  Or, am I bitter?  Do I blame everyone including God?  Have I become vindictive?  Will I remain unchanged and have to go through the “fire” again?

Reflections on what I have learned in 2011

When God says, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” He means it.  The distance between you and God can increase only if you move away.

Always go into the year with anticipation and dreams but be willing to allow God to shape, mold and change the dream.  Realize that there was nothing wrong with your dream; it may remain unfulfilled due to timing, outside circumstances or uncooperativeness.

Remain soft and pliable in the Master’s Hands.  It may be tempting to put up a shell to avoid being hurt again but nothing hurts worse than God breaking through the shell to get to our heart.

Faith is not just asking, believing it hard enough, and then receiving it.  Faith is praying about the situation, believing that God is well able, accepting that the outcome is in God’s hands, and LEAVING it there.

And finally My Friends; Trust in the promises of God; Ask Him to show you everything He is trying to teach you in the midst of the storm; Rest in His peace; and Allow Him to choose the ending blessing.

As the clock strikes midnight, closing out a year of unbelievable heartache and unbelievable blessing, I carry a resolve into 2012.  I resolve to enjoy every moment, whether through laughter or tears, knowing God is working.  I resolve to let the Love of God shine brighter through my life than ever before as I walk out in a dark world.  I resolve to seek after, listen to and follow as God leads me down the path He has prepared for me to walk in.  I resolve to LAUGH LOUDER, JUMP HIGHER and PRAISE MORE FERVENTLY than I did in 2011.

I HAVEN'T WALKED THIS WAY BEFORE

During the last 3 months. I have experienced several things in my life I had never before experienced.  The stress and pressure has been tremendous and at times debilitating.  Through it all, God has been an ever present help.  Because of the stress and strain, I feel I have temporarily lost my writing voice.  I am filing notes and I know that God will restore it at the proper time.  Please pray for Steve and I as we relocate and begin to walk down a totally new and unfamiliar road. 

With God's help, I will begin to write again.  I know it is in there fighting to come out.  I love you all my readers.  God's richest blessings to all of you.

WHEN THE DREAM IS ALIVE AFTER HOPE HAS DIED

Throughout our lifetime we dream of what we can accomplish, the things we will acquire and who we will share our life with. Our ability to dream never completely goes away, although the dreams may mature or be replaced with more realistic expectations. As a little girl, I wanted to be a bride and have babies just like my mom. During a revival, I dreamed of being an evangelist’s wife, wearing high heels and playing an accordion. After attending my first gospel concert, I wanted to be a professional singer and tour the United States, performing nightly for my adoring fans. At eighteen I married prince charming, wore the high heels, had the babies and sang in the church choir. Some of my dreams have been fulfilled in ways I could not have imagined, others took their place in the distant past of a little girl’s fantasy, and a few of the dreams lingered in the future still waiting to be realized. What do you do when you wake one day with a living, breathing dream but recognize that the hope of bringing it to fruition has died?

In the Bible we read the story of David. We are first introduced to the Little Shepherd Boy, David. He tended his father’s sheep, played music on his harp and sang songs praising God. Every child knows the story of David coming against Goliath with a simple sling, five stones and his faith in God. As he became a man and won many battles for Israel, we learn that he was anointed King of Israel. He triumphed, he sinned, he repented, he wrote Psalms to the Lord and danced before the ark as it was carried back to its rightful place. God blessed David throughout his life, and promised that his house would be established forever. It would appear that every desire of his heart had been fulfilled, but there was one dream that David would never live to see accomplished. The dream was alive but for David, hope had died.

In 1 Chronicles 17, we read about David’s dream; “Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remains under curtains.” David had a dream of building a house of worship to the Lord. A house that would hold the Ark of the Covenant; a house that would honor the God that he loved and for whom he had written some many Psalms of praise; a house that would bring attention to the God of Israel. Nathan, the prophet, agreed that it was a wonderful idea. 1 Chronicles 17:2 says “Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee. What could possibly be wrong with this desire to honor God? In verse 4, God tells Nathan, “Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shall not build me a house to dwell in.” For David, hope of building a magnificent house to glorify God had died. He would not live to see the Glory of God fill the temple at the dedication service, it would never be called, “David’s Temple,” but the dream was not yet dead. In 1 Kings 5:5, we learn that God told David, “Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build a house unto my name.”

What did David do when he finally realized that the hope of accomplishing what he had dreamed of was dead? Did he get angry, give up on God, or stop being King? No, we find that David continued being king and he continued to trust God for victory over the enemy. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he began to dedicate the spoils of war to God and amass many of the materials that would be used in building the temple, its furniture and vessels.

There are times in our lives that we must face the reality that a dream is never going to develop as we had envisioned and hope dies. Don’t give up; perhaps you were given the dream for a purpose. What if your purpose all along was to be the “David” to “Solomon” in God’s plan? Perhaps that youthful dream of being a professional ballplayer was given to you so that you would coach the little league team of the next all-star pitcher. The exalted dream of “Making a difference in the world” took a course beyond your wildest imagination and you made a difference by nurturing and raising the little boy or girl who would go on to preach the gospel to a people who had never heard of Jesus. The dream of pastoring a mega church wasn’t just a pipe dream, you were given the dream to be the planter or the waterer and God will give the increase to the next generation. Next time you use that hairbrush as a microphone, remember, your voice was always meant to glorify God rather than be the next American Idol.

1 Corinthians 3:6-8 “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7So then neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase. 8Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. “You may not see the completion of the dream but God may use you to be an important component of the end product. Maybe you will be the one that proposes the idea, or the one that assembles the materials or people. The dream may not stand as a living memorial to you and no one may ever even realize that you were the one with the idea, but God put the dream into your heart for a purpose and He will accomplish it in His way; in His time.

MIRACLE BABY SOSHEA BROOKLYN

This testimony absolutely must be shared. Baby Shea is the daughter of Jon and BreAnna Hedlund and the granddaughter of our friends John and Darlene Soshea of Duluth, MN. As soon as it was posted on FB that Baby Soshea was in trouble, an Army of Prayer Warriors was marshalled around the world to bombard Heaven with nonstop petitions on behalf of Brea and Baby Shea. God is still on the throne and prayer still works. Here is their story.

By BreAnna Hedlund

Baby Shea was born August 30th @ 9:22pm....an emergency c-section! She was born having oxygen deprivation "Birth Hypoxia".......my lil girls heart stopped, had to do chest compressions, and really her outcome did not look well..... she was flown down to Amplatz Hospital within the 6 hour time period to be put on a cooling blanket. Mommy was waking up for surgery and didn't understand why her baby was being taken away. I want to tell you the survival stats....

Up to 62% die or have moderate to severe disabilities
Up to 30% have cerebral palsy
Up to 14% blind
Up to 6% are hearing impaired

My baby girl did not look good but we were going to fight, we were going to try this cooling blanket to hopefully slow down the damage this would have on her...... she was put in hypothermia mode for a full 72 hours... extremely hard for a mother and father to watch. Then after the 3 days she was slowly warmed back up, only to find that she was having a lot of problems. She had an EEG to check and see what all this damage of the oxygen deprivation had on her and if the cooling blanket was able to help at all...... our results were extremely horrific, the doctor called us both to her bed side and said, I do not have good news. Her test came back with EXTREME abnormalities, and we talked about all the things that this meant, horrible. the Doctor said we will run another test on Tuesday but at a max it may improve a little but it is so extremely abnormal I am so sorry to have to tell you....I asked is it possible that it could come back normal and she said I hate to say it but NO. I was crying and couldn't even stand, my baby girl this was not what I wanted to hear.

The next 3 days was long...... watching your lil girl with so many things we could already see that werent normal.... we decided that we were not going to accept this report from the doctors.... i couldn't...i knew a God that could heal my precious angel.... so we had already asked for prayers from around the world and asked for many more.... we had many prayers go up for her.... and for those of you that took the time to do so we are so extremely grateful to you for your prayers.... in these three days we had a prophetic word and vision of her given to us about her healing....and signs and signs of her healing! We wanted to see her healed today, but God knew his timing! The day before her test she still was having a lot of trouble, we weren't seeing any improvements, but continued in our faith! Tuesday came and she had her test, it took longer then the first one, the results took what seemed like forever! Finally the Doctor came to her lil bedside and said "I have amazing news for you guys, the EEG came back completely NORMAL!!!!!!!" How could this happen? I screamed, cried, fell to the ground thank God my husband was there, we really received this miracle that we had prayed and hoped for! Thank you GOD!!!!

We would like to send a special thank you to ALL of our Family for their support, love and visits! With out all of you and God we could not have made it through all this! Thank you for all the prayers, the fasting, and prayer nights that were held....we can not begin to express our gratitude! I want everyone to know that its all your prayers that the Lord heard! :) We want you to know all the texts, calls, facebook messages were a true blessing, we apologize we have been so busy with this we have not had a chance to respond. We appreciate all of you! Love you and we will continue to post her progress, she still has a little ways to go to get out of this but she is a MIRACLE! Thank you dear Lord for our Baby Soshea Brooklyn Hedlund!

HYPOCRITICAL CHANCE OR GLORY TO GOD OPPORTUNITY

One of the easiest ways to stick a knife in the heart of a professing Christian is to accuse them of being a hypocrite. At one time or another, every Christian has heard the statement, “And you call yourself a Christian!” Sometimes the question is deserved, other times it is just used against us because we tried to do the right thing and it made someone else feel guilty.  “Hypocrite” comes from the Greek word, “hypokrites” a stage actor or one who pretends to be what he is not. The church has been accused of being full of hypocrites and when you think about it, where else would they be? A person who does not believe in anything and doesn’t behave as if they believe in anything would never be accused of being a hypocrite and most likely never be found attending church. So, while the church may be full of hypocrites, most of us are just human trying to become more like Jesus.

Once you claim the Name of Jesus and have the courage to open your mouth, profess what you believe and align yourself with the Church, a test will present itself. Now the choice is yours, do you take the chance to be viewed as a hypocrite or is this an opportunity presented by God to give Him glory.

I will never forget an opportunity that came my way, many years ago. I had made a quick run to the neighborhood grocery store and as I unloaded the groceries into the trunk of my car, I noticed the cashier had put a gallon of milk into my cart that I had not purchased. My first thought was, I’m in a hurry, I have two little boys at home so praise God for the blessing and after all I didn’t put it in my cart. But God’s voice came through loud and strong, “you didn’t pay for it, someone else did” and “it isn’t your milk, it belongs to someone else.” I decided to do the right thing and bring glory to God even if no one would ever know. Back into the store I went with the gallon of milk. I gave it back to the cashier and explained that I had not paid for it so it must belong to someone else. She thanked me and as I turned around to go back to my car, I looked up into the eyes of my pastor. You never know who may be watching. There have been other opportunities of receiving too much change, keeping my mouth shut when I wanted to lash out or telling the truth although I knew the outcome would not be in my favor. Have I ever made the wrong choice and took the chance to be a hypocrite? Oh yes, but I would prefer not to talk about them and I have had to repent many times.

I believe that God tests us, not to prove anything to Him but to make us stronger and give us confidence that through the power of the Holy Ghost, we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way. This week I was again presented with the opportunity to act upon what I had professed. In the last month my husband and I have been put through a very hard and hurtful trial. It was not something we asked for because we were only trying to faithfully serve God. I believe that “all things work for the good of them that love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose,” so with my mouth I professed the goodness of God and prayed for blessings upon those that had come against us with falsehoods and indifference to the will of God. It is all fine in theory but sometimes a different story when put to the test. I received word that God was sending someone to bless them this weekend. The feelings of hurt and frustration threatened to overtake me so I did the only thing I knew to do; fall on my knees in prayer. Would I curse, blame and run down the people who had done me wrong and take the hypocritical chance or would I bless, encourage, pray for them and bring glory to God. It took some wrestling back and forth but I chose to be a blessing to others and receive a blessing from God.

Every day you will be presented with choices that will satisfy your flesh or feed your spirit. If you choose to satisfy your flesh you may have to wear the label of Hypocrite but if you choose to feed your spirit and bring Glory to God, you will be blessed and wear the label of Overcomer. Revelations 21:7 He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

JUST A BAND-AID

Each of us have had wonderful things occur in our lives, when we want to leap for joy and shout praise at the top of our lungs. Maybe it was the time your husband came home from work with news of a big promotion and raise to match. Perhaps after years of hoping, the test came back positive and it was time to start painting the nursery. It could be signing the papers on your dream house, watching your grandchild do amazing things that you thought were disgusting when your son or daughter did them, a new car, earning a degree or any number of things that make your heart sing for joy. You open up the Word of God and read in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” You are convinced, God is good, His will is full of blessing and you give thanks.

Now we fast forward to an event that drives you to your knees; your husband loses his job, your hopes are shattered and there will be no baby to fill your empty arms, maybe the house is repossessed, the car is totaled or your child has once again broken your heart. You open the Word of God and read in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Are you still convinced that God is good, can you trust that “all things work for good,” do you still give thanks?

Sunday marked the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that took place on September 11, 2001. As I watched the 2001 live footage of the towers in flames, people jumping out of windows and heard the stories repeated of heroic acts of bravery, I was instantly transported back to the very moment I learned of the attack. The forgotten memories of horror and grief came flooding back as the tears stream down my face. The names of the thousands that lost their life that day included, without discrimination, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, friends, ministers, secretaries, CEO’s, firefighters, policemen and caring citizens. Could anyone find comfort in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you?”  Did God still care; if so, where was He; how could any good come from such a hate-filled act, could we still give thanks?

Among the fascinating stories told of that Tuesday morning in September, are the tales of “If not for the Grace of God.” For one person, a car wouldn’t start, another arrived at the corner just as the taxi pulled away, yet another was held up in a traffic jam caused by an auto accident, an alarm clock did not go off, the phone rang just as she opened the door; were they just “lucky” or are these everyday happenings that we never think about unless a tragedy of 9/11 proportions occurs? The story that impacted me this morning was that of a man that had put on a new pair of shoes. As he walked toward the World Trade Center, he realized a blister was forming and he stopped at a drug store to purchase a Band-Aid. Yes, an aggravating blister and the need for a band-aid saved his life that day. I’m sure if this man opened his bible and read 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you,” he suddenly had a clear understanding of its meaning and he gave thanks.

Never again will I grumble at the slow car on the highway in front of me or the traffic light that turns red just as I approach; I will breathe a prayer of thanks when the phone rings at an inconvenient time or I get behind the coupon queen in the grocery line. You and I will probably never know the times we have been saved by the things we viewed as a nuisance. Dear God, please remind me when I start to complain about being late that your Word tells me “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

IT WAS ENOUGH JUST TO BE YOUR MOM

I POSTED THIS BLOG IN DECEMBER 2010.  AFTER READING POSTS ON FACEBOOK REGARDING STAY-AT-HOME MOMS, I FELT I SHOULD POST IT AGAIN.  I AM NOT JUDGING ANY MOTHER THAT MUST WORK OR CHOOSES TO WORK OUTSIDE THE HOME; THESE ARE JUST MY THOUGHTS AND EXPERIENCES.

It is no secret that I am a Facebook junkie. I love keeping up-to-date with friends and family. One of the things that I have avoided getting involved in is the “Mass Group Posts.” To me they are similar to the old “chain letters.” Some even go as far to tell me if I don’t post a certain paragraph, I am denying Christ before the world. Never mind the life I live, it’s all about posting a specific saying. A couple of weeks ago, this particular post caught my eye: “I work 24/7. I'm a MOMMY, I'm a cook, a cleaner, a parent, a teacher, a referee, a nanny, a nurse, a handyman, a maid, a shrink, security & a comforter. I don't get holidays, sick pay, or A DAY off. I work through the day & some of the night, on call at ALL hours. I'm underpaid & overworked. Now tell me that YOUR job is harder than mine! Repost this if you're a great mommy ♥.”  I did not repost the item but I couldn’t resist commenting.

I was a full time mommy for 20 years, I never considered myself underpaid. OVERWORKED? Maybe, but I just didn’t consider it in monetary terms. You see, to me, Motherhood was NOT a JOB but a CALLING which I chose to follow. Although this calling did not bring great wealth, it was not without great reward. I will never forget the feel of little arms around my neck and the sound of a tiny voice saying, “Mommy I “wuv” you. What mother hasn’t paused for a few moments just to watch her babies sleeping like angels and wishing she hadn’t said “not right now” so many times that day. There is nothing like seeing 2 little shining faces emerge after a warm bath, snuggling with them in their cozy “jammies” and inhaling that soft baby smell. As they grew older, I loved listening to their funny adventures, discovering the world through their fresh eyes and guiding them through the “teenage jungle.” I have enjoyed being a Mom in every stage of their life. As far as overworked, that is what I bought into when I chose to have kids. They have been worth every sleepless night, every hour lost, and every dollar that I could have been spending on myself.

I know how Mary must have felt when she held Jesus in her arms for the first time. I’ve experienced the overwhelming love that pours from your heart as you rock the tiny helpless little baby. But, did she feel “used” when she knelt at the cross? Did she feel underpaid and overworked when she came to the end of the road with her son? Did Mary complain, “I cooked, cleaned, taught you, dried your tears, washed your clothes, was always there for you and this is the reward I get?” Luke 2:19 tells us, “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Perhaps at the end she reached into her heart for all the sweet memories and murmured through her tears, “It was enough just to be your mom.”

Yes, there were times I was privileged to teach them new things, referee their disagreements, bandage skinned knees, and provide clean clothes and delicious meals. I’m thankful they trusted me enough to take my counsel instead of learning life’s lessons on the playground and that they knew their home was a safe place where they could always be comforted. Being an important part of my sons’ lives as they grew to be men who love God, love their families and still love their mom has been all the pay I required. Steven and Philip, it was enough just to be your mom.

A LITTLE DAMAGE BUT STILL STANDING

The nonstop coverage of Hurricane Irene began Friday evening. There were hourly updates, pinpointing exactly which city was being pounded at the moment, the projected paths of destruction and estimated arrival times at various cities all along the Eastern Seaboard. By Saturday evening, New York City was at a standstill. Subways and mass transit systems including airports had been shut down and many had evacuated in anticipation of the havoc, Irene was expected to bring with her. Although, the storm weakened as it made its way up the coast and inland, there were still reports of flooding, downed trees and lost lives.

I am always struck by the dedicated reporters. They brave wind, rain, stand on boardwalks watching the crashing waves, covered in sea foam and sand all to bring us the up-to-the minute reports we watch from a distance in the safety of our homes. If I am ever caught in a catastrophic disaster, I’m going to look for the nearest reporter and stick to them like glue because they somehow usually come through the storm unscathed. As I watched the reports Sunday morning, this simple little statement of “hurt but hope,” stood out. The reporter said, “There’s a little damage to the bridge after the storm but it is still standing.” The winds had buffeted, the rain had poured down and the surf had pounded against the bridge, but after the storm passed by, the bridge stood tall against the skyline.

Most times life doesn’t give us warnings of the approaching storm. We don’t have the luxury of a nonstop encouraging word Friday night into Saturday to prepare us for Sunday’s storm. They always seem to come from nowhere and hit us full force with unrelenting fury. Recently, an unexpected hurricane slammed head-on into my life. I had no time to board up the windows and evacuate. No, this was a storm that I would just have to ride out on my knees holding on to the Word of God. The wind blew, the rain fell and the surf pounded against the very foundation of my soul but like the securely fastened reporter, I lashed myself to the Rock until the storm finally died down and calm prevailed. Over the past few days, I have taken the time to access the damage. I’ve nursed some cuts and scrapes, a few bruises are still tender but I can say with all thanksgiving, “There’s a little damage to the bridge after the storm, but I’m still standing.”

You may be going through the worst storm of your life. It may seem at times that the ground is shaking beneath your feet and you are barely holding on. Remember it isn’t about the storm; it is all about the foundation. The bridge withstood the hurricane because the builder had anchored it deep into the ground. If your foundation is built upon the Rock and you are deeply anchored in Christ Jesus, you can weather any storm that unexpectedly comes your way. You may come out bruised and battered and there may be a “little damage to the bridge” yet, you can lift your hands toward Heaven and say, “But I’m still standing.”

WAITING ON THE DREAM-GIVER

What do you do, where do you go when all your dreams lay shattered and broken? You go back to the Dream-giver. This has been a very painful few months of confusion, self-doubt, loss and sadness but through it all, God has held me close.
Much has been written about the 5 stages of grief, I experienced them all as I looked down upon my dreams that had died before they ever fully developed. At times the stages of grief blurred into one big ball of pain, other times, I was able to deal with one symptom at a time.

DENIAL: For a time I denied the obvious signs that they were not going to blossom into the beautiful blooms I envisioned. It was just easier not to deal with the reality of the situation. I even quoted, “calling things that are not as if they are.” The buds had shriveled up on the stem and the leaves were wilted but maybe a little more water would turn things around. After all the watering and loving care, I had to face the truth; my dreams just were not going to survive.

ANGER: Anger can be soothing, a security blanket that places all responsibility on outside forces. It also prevents you from assessing the situation and making the necessary changes that allow you to reach for the new season. I am still angry at the damage Satan has inflicted on my dreams but I also realize that I am the only one that can give him control over my future. So the anger slowly morphs into sadness over what could have been.

BARGAINING: Oh yes, I went through the bargaining stage. This was the stage in which I thought I had the power to stop the inevitable. Maybe if I fasted more, spoke positive words, named and claimed my desires and rebuked the enemy that had come to destroy my dreams, I would wake up and everything would be perfect again. My power waned and the bargaining stopped when I acknowledged my weakness, His strength and finally placed it all in the hands of the Master.

DEPRESSION: The stage of depression actually came before the anger. I had never realized how depression can actually suck the very life from you. I was embarrassed to let anyone in on this stage. My husband, friends and family never knew the struggle that I sometimes faced to even breathe. I had always been the strong one, self-sufficient, needing no one but God to see me through. Suddenly, I felt helpless, nothing was working and although, God daily showered His love on me, He wasn’t fixing the situation. There were days that I would spend on my knees, crying out my pain to God. I would make myself go somewhere at least once a week, just to get out of the house; unfortunately my bank account usually suffered from those excursions. Although at times, the dark cloud of depression looms threatening on the horizon, with God’s love, I have been able to move on to the last stage; acceptance.

ACCEPTANCE: The final stage is a great gift from God. It is impossible for another door to open and God to bring a new dream into being until you realize the old dream is really dead; it cannot be revived and will never come to fruition. It must be allowed to teach its lessons, remembered with fondness and stay buried. As the Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

What do I do when my shattered, broken dreams have been buried? I go back to the Dream-Giver. His word has promised, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” (Psalm 37:4-5) I stand on the promises of a God who has never failed me. Once again I begin to praise, commit and trust but most of all, I wait on the Dream-Giver for the new dream.

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT THE CHURCH

Originally posted in April, 2010, I felt led to post it again. It is so easy to take our eyes off Jesus and become so discouraged that we fail to see the good in anything including the church. It was at such a moment that the Holy Spirit convicted me and I began to think about what a blessing The Church has been throughout my life.




Recently, Steve was talking with a man who wanted to change his life. He confessed that his attempt to change on his own wasn’t working; he could be good for a short time and then his desires would overwhelm his efforts. Steve, of course, began to tell him that being filled with the Holy Spirit was his answer. It is only through the Holy Spirit that we have the power to overcome our sinful nature. As the conversation continued, the reasons for his resistance began to spill out; he had been failed by the Church. It wasn’t really “The Church” but people who claimed to be members of “The Church.” He had been betrayed by people who talked “Christianese” but didn’t carry it through to the action phase. BEEN THERE!!!

I have yet to find an individual who has NOT been disappointed by a church member or a church member who has NOT disappointed someone. I have been let down by pastors, SS teachers, Christian “friends,” choir members and the list goes on. Sometimes as I sit quietly on a Sunday afternoon, I realize that I am the one who disappointed that member who needed encouragement, a friend or someone just to care. Yes, The Church is full of imperfect people; people who get angry, act hateful, betray trust, are insensitive and even sin; people just like you and me.

If you talk to enough disgruntled people or read enough religious news you will begin to get the picture that The Church is just a “Club for Hypocrites.” Is there anything good about The Church? This is an excerpt from a devotional by Christopher J. Harris called The Church Has My Vote. I’ve seen church members that take their faith serious and walk that out in their daily lives. I’ve seen Pastors have such an encounter with God that they live what they preach. I’ve seen choir members that were the same righteous people in public and in private. I’ve seen more preachers that were committed to their wives than I have seen the opposite. I’ve seen more Deacons support their Pastor’s than the opposite. I’ve seen church members that love people so much that they’ve given money, time, and their talents just to help someone that they’ve only met a few minutes ago. I’ve seen people cry together and laugh together. I’ve seen men connect with other men when otherwise there were walls of mistrust. I’ve seen women get restored when they’d decided they would never trust again……….That’s the other reason why I’m sold out to the church. It doesn’t belong to any one person. It is God’s!

I was introduced to the church at 10 months old and 54 years later, I still love The Church. It was a place where I learned to love God’s Word. Beginning with wonderful Sunday School teachers who lovingly taught me not just Bible stories but the awesome truths they contained. I had pastors that cared about their congregations and sacrificed personal opportunities to follow the call of God and preach salvation to lovable and unlovable sinners. It was surrounded by The Church that I gave my heart to God and received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit at 9 years old. It was The Church that encouraged an awkward teenager to sing, teach and learn to play the piano, and then use her talents for God. Church has always been a place of safety, where I could feel an arm around me as I poured my heart out to God. There are so many good things about The Church but the best thing about The Church is that I have been accepted as a member. Now it’s up to me. My behavior and attitude will determine if seeking people can find something good about The Church. Will they find welcoming arms or an exclusive club with a closed membership? Will they find the truth of God’s Word or an ear-tickling, back-slapping homily that leaves them unchanged? Will they find the power of the Holy Ghost or dead religion? God, help me to be a part of what’s good about The Church.

IT DOES MATTER - A WOMAN'S PERSPECTIVE

MODESTY - regard for decency of behavior, speech, dress; simplicity; moderation. Synonyms include constraint, inhibition, innocence, propriety, reticence, chastity.

In our modern world, modesty seems to be one of the concepts that we can give a dictionary definition for but have trouble defining in regards to our person. For several years society and the church were on the same page when it came to MODESTY, as many of our laws will reflect. Then we entered the era of “personal liberation” in which society deleted the word MODESTY from its vocabulary and seemed to be at war with the church. Sadly, enough, the church and society are closing the MODESTY definition gap once again and it appears that society is winning.

Many pastors have obviously made the decision, “why fight it, I’ll just ignore it or perhaps join it.” Others are so afraid of being called “legalistic” that they too have erased the word, modesty, from their vocabulary, sermons and Bible studies. It is becoming a lost Biblical truth and we are raising up a generation of young people who are not even aware that modesty is one of the Godly principles in the Bible.

This was made evident to me recently when I reposted the following conversation from a friend, “Me to Sweet-Young-Thing in her daisy-dukes & bikini top, "I love having you come over, but you are going to have to cover up. I'm keeping my house a safe place for my husband/boys eyes/hearts" long conversation ensued, followed by SWT- "I wish MY mom would keep our home a safe place for my dad’s eyes/heart". Train up a child....” Having raised two boys, I can totally relate to this mother’s heart. I, too, tried to keep our home a safe place for my son’s eyes and hearts because I knew there were too many unsafe places that would try to steal their hearts and minds from the things of God. This posting of course caused quite a stir. Many posted that they agreed but some disagreed and gave their reasons. The most prevalent disagreement was that men’s eyes, hearts and minds were their responsibility. Men must be mature enough to just say no and turn away. Why should women have any responsibility in the matter? We should be able to wear and show whatever we desire; it is our bodies and “guys, keep your eyeballs in your head!” Is this true? Does it matter what we as women wear? Am I my brother’s keeper? Is there a Godly principle that addresses this issue without going into legalism?

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reads, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE #1: YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN FOR YOU ARE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE. It doesn’t matter what society tells you if you have committed your life to Jesus Christ, you don’t have a right to do anything you choose to do with your body. This includes the places you go, the words that come out of your mouth, the things you put into your mouth, or up your nose, the things you put in front of your eyes, what you listen to with your ears, what you do with your hands (including inappropriate gestures) and yes, what you put on your body. Jesus paid a high price to redeem you and if you belong to Him the only right you have is to GLORIFY GOD in your body and in your spirit.

Romans 14: 13 says, “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” Verse 21, “It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak”

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE #2: DO NOT DO ANYTHING WHICH CAUSES YOUR BROTHER TO STUMBLE, BE OFFENDED OR BE MADE WEAK. When we make a decision to join the Family of God, we are extended a privilege by God to become His sons and daughters, thereby gaining brothers and sisters. With privileges come responsibilities. One of our responsibilities is to help guard our sisters and brothers from stumbling. Now that does not mean that we have to lead them over every pitfall or be responsible for their actions but we MUST be responsible for our personal actions that could put a stumbling block in their path. Stumbling blocks could include sharing gossip or unseemly stories, inviting them to go with you to a venue that would feed their personal struggles and yes, even wearing articles of clothing that enhance or reveal body parts that could place impure thoughts in their minds. The comment was made that a lustful person is going to lust regardless of what another person is wearing. That is true but what about the young man who is struggling and is not mature enough to know how to say no? What about our husbands, sons, fathers or brothers who may be doing everything within their power to live a pure and Godly life? Biblical Principle #2 says, “Don’t make it more difficult for them by putting your scantily clothed body in their way.”

Exodus 20:12 “Honor thy father and mother.” Romans 12:10 “Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;” 1 Peter 2:17 “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” 1 Thessalonians 4:4 “That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor.”

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE #3: HONOR; WE ARE TO HONOR OUR FATHERS, OUR HUSBANDS, OUR BROTHERS, AND OURSELVES. Another word for honor is respect; we are to respect one another and respect ourselves. When we display ourselves in an immodest fashion we are disrespecting or dishonoring our Fathers, Husbands, Brothers and Sons. Also when a scantily clad woman displays herself in front of my Husband and Sons, it is dishonoring me. Furthermore, putting on clothing that would cause anyone to look at you with impure thoughts is dishonoring yourself.

My dear, dear sisters our clothing DOES matter. It’s quite simple, every morning ask yourself, “Does my ensemble displease or bring glory to God, would it cast a stumbling block in someone’s path and does it honor or dishonor the men in my life?” As women we will never get away from the desire to be fashionable, decorate ourselves with clothing unique to our personality and surround ourselves with beautiful things. That is exactly how God wired us. If the world was left up to our men we would live in a black, gray, and brown world. So go for it, bring out the beautiful colors and silky feminine fabrics, buy shoes to match and crazy handbags but don’t leave Godly Principles out of your selection.

Mary K. Mohler sums it up best, “May God give us both the desire and the wisdom to live lives that are holy in every aspect. A lost world is watching.”

ENTERING THE DANGER ZONE

We love to watch football and today's news that the NFL is close to reaching a deal is exciting news to many of my family members. Most autumn weekends will find us watching University of Michigan on Saturday and the Chicago Bears on Sunday. My husband and two sons define a good football game as a “Chicago Bear Win” but as all football fans can testify; sometimes you win “ugly.” Every football team walks onto the football field with a game plan in hand that they are sure will guarantee a win. If the plan is followed exactly and everything goes according to plan, then absolutely, a win is guaranteed. Now, I have watched football for over 35 years and I have never witnessed a game that followed the coach’s game plan exactly. Number 1, no matter how solid the game plan is, the coach has no knowledge of the rival team’s game plan and how to account for their “surprise” plays. Number 2, the players are human and the game plan cannot counteract human failure to perform. There will be dropped balls, fumbled snaps, pulled muscles, twisted ankles and missed extra points. Sometimes teams can compensate for their mistakes or capitalize on the other team’s errors and still come out on top. The team that wins consistently, however, will be the team that doesn’t allows mistakes or distractions to get in the way even when they have ENTERED THE DANGER ZONE.

What is the DANGER ZONE? After many years, I have observed that the most dangerous period for a team immediately after scoring, is the next possession by their opponents. They have achieved a goal and in their euphoria they deviate from the game plan. Their success becomes a distraction. Many times the opponent will have a great run back on the kickoff or score on a long pass down field. The team must be ever vigilant as they enter the GAME DANGER ZONE.

How many times have I watched this scenario play in other areas of my life? One day I am praising the Lord for victory only to allow Satan to score by wondering how God is going to lead me out of the next day’s dilemma. The Children of Israel are a prime example. God miraculously delivered them from Pharaoh, yet they stood panic stricken at the Red Sea. God gave them water from a rock and manna from Heaven but they feared weakness from a lack of protein. The disciples participated as Jesus fed the 5,000, and then questioned His ability to take them through the storm on the Sea of Galilee. If at all possible, Satan will attack you immediately following a wonderful blessing or victory by placing doubt in the way of climbing your next mountain. You cannot allow your success to distract you from Satan’s devices. Your weakest moment may come after your greatest victory; you have entered LIFE’S DANGER ZONE.

Whatever your challenge is today, step into it without fear. Enlarge your territory and set your goals high. Outline a strategy with mini-goals along the way. Every victory does not automatically signal an impending defeat. If you suffer a setback, reassess your position, tweak your strategy and keep pressing on toward the prize. Most importantly trust in the “Coach” and His game plan. He knows all the other team’s “trick plays” and He has never had a losing season. Celebrate each success and be aware of LIFE’S DANGER ZONE.

YOUR ANSWER IS ON THE WAY

Steve and I have been fasting and praying for a mighty move of God at Cornerstone. On Friday morning, I felt such a powerful presence of the Lord in my living room as I prayed. Then about 1:00 Friday afternoon, I was watching Louisiana District camp meeting online when suddenly the Holy Ghost spoke to me and said, "You have your answer, it is on the way." I was so overcome, that I got up from my computer and began to dance in the Spirit all over my house for about 20 minutes. Anyone who knows me is aware that is NOT my normal behavior. When Steve came home from work, I shared what God had told me and we rejoiced together.

Sunday morning, I got up early to pray, asking God for a mighty move of His Spirit in our service. We arrived at church for 10:00 prayer and as we began to worship and intercede for the morning service, I received a vision from God. In the vision I was in the throne room of Heaven, on my knees in supplication before the Lord. As I began to pray, asking for a move of His Spirit, Jesus stood up, stepped down from the throne, with arms out stretched and walked toward me. I knew; the answer was on the way and it was the Holy Ghost; the move I had been praying for. All I could do was praise, worship and speak in tongues.

During Sunday School, I continued to quietly pray in the Spirit. The Mighty Presence lasted all through the praise and worship. But as Steve began to preach, I felt an oppressive spirit begin to move in. Again I began to pray, rebuking the devil in Jesus Name, claiming the anointing for the Word that was being preached and liberty for the preacher. The devil had to flee! During the altar service a couple of people came up to pray, but God was not done. Some more made their way up to the front and the wave continued. Suddenly, the Spirit of the Holy Ghost came down full force and swept the congregation. Sister Pat gave a message in tongues and interpretation. I came down off the piano and fell at the altar, as did others. The altar was filled with hungry hearts and the sound of travail, worship and praying in the Spirit filled the sanctuary. Every time it would die down another wave would begin. What a refreshing. The answer was and is a move of the Holy Ghost. God had made me a promise on Friday; the answer was on the way. I am still feeling the thrill from this morning and looking for the wave to keep going as we continue to pray and seek His face.

Every Sunday, the reports start pouring in over the internet of the mighty move of the Holy Ghost all over the world. God wants to move in our hearts and lives and in our churches. The key? PRAYER, SEEKING THE FACE OF GOD, PRESSING IN, DETERMINATION, AND NOT GIVING UP UNTIL YOU RECEIVE YOUR ANSWER.

We read in the Bible where Jacob wrestled with the angel and would not let go until he received his blessing. Is a move of the Holy Ghost worth enough to us that we are willing to seek God and hold on until we receive our blessing? Is the answer you seek worth sacrificing a meal and a few hours of prayer every week? Are the souls that are coming to be saved worth your travail? I say, “YES LORD, YES LORD, YES, YES LORD.” The Holy Ghost has been unleashed on our congregation. This is just the beginning for Cornerstone Apostolic Church in Morristown, TN. To quote T.D. Jakes, “GET READY, GET READY, GET READY!”

WHEN PASSION MATCHES HUNGER, YOU’RE GONNA EAT!

There have been times I’ve been “kind of” hungry but nothing really sounds good. I rummage through the pantry and finally settle for whatever is handy. But then there are times when I am hungry for a donut. A cookie, a piece of pie or chocolate candy won’t do; I want a donut!!! It doesn’t matter if I have to drive to the donut shop across town, I will not be satisfied until I am eating a donut. That is passion!


Hunger identifies the emptiness inside that needs to be filled. Hunger lets you know that something is missing. Passion, on the other hand, is the driving force that moves you into action on behalf of the hunger. Passion says I’ve identified the need and I will stop at nothing to fill that need. Every mother can relate to the hungry wail of a baby. You may be in the middle of an important project or involved in your favorite activity but when the baby’s hunger intensifies and its passion rises to the same level, everyone in the house including Mama is going to know that something must be done, NOW!

We read in Mark 10 of a man named Bartimeus who was blind. I am not sure if he was born blind or experienced an accident or illness, the Bible doesn’t give us much history concerning Bartimeus, except he was blind and sat by the road begging. No doubt this day began the same as every other day; stumbling to wash his face, throw on a cloak and make his way to the road, hoping someone would have mercy on him so that he might buy his daily bread. He had learned to cope with his lack of sight. True, something was missing but what could he do about his misfortunate. Little did he know as he sat asking for alms that this was his day. His ear caught bits and pieces of conversation, “Jesus of Nazareth was passing down this very road.” A stirring of hope began to push his passion toward his hunger and he began to cry, “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.” The Bible tells us that many tried to quiet him but when passion matches hunger, you’re gonna eat!!! Instead of quietly melting into the crowd, Mark 10:48 says, “but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.” At that point the most beautiful thing happened, Mark 10:49, “And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called.” This was the day, the moment that his passion matched his hunger, his need was met; Bartimeus was no longer blind.

There are many more examples of passion matching hunger. A woman with an issue of blood was no longer satisfied to go from one physician to the next only to be told there was no hope. When she heard Jesus was in town, her passion caused her to push and press her way through the crowd. Zacchaeus needed salvation. As his passion matched his hunger, he began to climb a tree. Somehow, he must get to Jesus. Jesus saw him and said, “This day is salvation come to this house.” A roof was torn off, an alabaster box was broken and a little girl was raised all because PASSION MATCHED HUNGER!!!

Back to the baby, he may fuss a little until Mama sticks a pacifier in his mouth to lull him back to sleep. As long as the baby is satisfied with the pacifier, he will starve to death. But let his passion match his hunger and he is gonna eat. What is it you want from God? Have you allowed life to stick a pacifier in your mouth to appease your desire? You will never get anything worthwhile as long as you are satisfied with the pacifier. When you finally begin to get hungry for a move of the Holy Ghost and your passion rises to the same level, GOD IS GONNA MOVE AND YOU ARE GONNA EAT!!!

DECLARE YOUR INDEPENDENCE

On July 4, 1776, the Colonies declared Independence from England. As of that date it was only a declaration, their freedom had not yet been won. The colonists were not deceived into thinking that merely writing a declaration would secure their independence. There was still a war to be fought. There must have been time of discouragement and battles that were lost, but the Colonists fought on. Finally, on September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed; the Americans were victorious and free.

If there is something in your life that is controlling you, declare your independence today, July 4, 2011. Be prepared to fight. You will win some battles and lose others but remember a battle is not the war. If it is a spiritual battle, Satan will come up with a new strategy every time you win a victory. If it is a physical or emotional battle, be prepared to meet that which you are trying to conquer face to face every day. Phenomenal bargains and the latest gadget will present opportunities to deter you from financial battles. If you can keep your eyes on the goal you will be victorious. I challenge you to write your Declaration today, prepare for battle, and start to fight tomorrow.

“I am endowed by the Creator with the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. To continue to enjoy those rights, I must become disciplined and learn to say NO!!! From this day forward, I declare my independence and will no longer be under the control of my desires and passions but will control their use thereof.”

God bless you, God bless America and Happy Independence Day.

LET FREEDOM RING

Monday, we celebrate the 235th birthday of the United States of America. It all began with a declaration of independence birthed in the heart of a people who were tired of being in bondage to an abusive government.

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,

It seems there are many Americans who degrade this great country yet still want to enjoy all the benefits of citizenship. The wife of one prominent politician made this statement a few years ago, “for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country.” Hollywood stars declare that if their candidate is not elected or certain laws are not passed/repealed, they will move to Canada, Great Britain, or France. Former MN Governor, Jesse Ventura stated that his government had lied to him several times and he could not believe anything they said. Yet he was a part of that government and considered running for the Senate. Citizens burn flags, hold protest rallies and declare their opposition to current policies all because we live in freedom in the greatest country on earth. I declare that I feel blessed to have been born in the United States and I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN.

On October 9, 1966, I declared my independence from Satan and the bondage of his abusive government. I was born into the Family of God and awarded citizenship in Heaven. This citizenship comes with rights and privileges, such as: the right to live in freedom from the bondage of sin, the right to have someone raise up a standard and fight my battles, the right to live free from the fear of death, the right to live free from pain and want, and the privilege to be called a Daughter of God. Here are some excerpts from my spiritual Declaration of Independence.

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. 33They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed

Romans 8:12 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God; they are the sons of God. 15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Today in Christianity as in the United States, there are those who are no longer proud of their salvation experience and try to blend in with those who have not been born again. Others declare that it is bondage and threaten to leave the church for “more freedom.” Many, because of past hurts and experiences, declare God has failed them and His policies no longer deserve their vote. I declare today that I am thankful for my born again experience and PROUD TO BE A CHRISTIAN.

As we celebrate Independence Day, thank God for His saving grace and the United States of America for our liberty and LET FREEDOM RING.

MEMORIES OF DAD

It has been almost 16 years since we said a temporary goodbye to Dad. I think of him often, “hear” his humorous comments as I watch the news, and “see” him in my oldest son, but today I can’t stop the tears.

Dad I miss you. Sometimes our family needs your “no nonsense” wisdom; we need to hear one of your crazy stories once again. I will never forget your arms around me as you told me goodbye the last time we saw you. I think you knew it would be the last time and you hugged me extra tight, hoping the imprint of your arms would always remind me of your love.

So many memories of you flood my mind. As a little girl I loved to watch your hands. You had strong hands with long slender fingers that could build a cabinet, assemble a toy or tenderly button a little girl’s coat. I knew there wasn’t a thing in the world that was too hard for those hands to fix.

You were the one who taught me how to sing. I loved to hear your voice in church and I loved the fact that you would cry every time you sang a solo. I will never forget my favorite song;

Don’t ever take the ribbons from your hair.
Each tiny bow is tied with loving care

You’re pretty as a picture and I love each precious curl

You’re mommy’s little problem, but you’re daddy’s little girl

You’ll never grow too old to wear your bows

They’ll always match your tiny turned up nose

And even when you grow to be like mommy sweet and fair

Don’t ever take the ribbons from your hair.

It has been said that our picture of our Heavenly Father is formed by our Earthly Father. Dad, I learned from you that God is my provider, my protector, and always faithful. Thank you Dad for the lessons in honesty, integrity, and commitment that you modeled for me. Thank you for walking away from the neighbor as he swore at you in front of your family. Thank you for being honest when the cashier gave you too much change. Thank you for standing up for me when the teacher cheated me out of a good grade and thank you for standing with the teacher when I was wrong.

Thank you for loving Steve as a son. It must have been hard to give your 18 year-old first born to another 18-year old teenager who didn’t even have a good job. I remember your teary eyes and how your knees shook as you walked me down the aisle. You knew that you were no longer the most important man in my life but you also knew that no one would ever take the place of my dad. You were so excited when you found out at the age of 42 that you were going to be a grandfather. I had been running up and down stairs with laundry, but a minute later, after you heard the news, you told me that maybe I shouldn’t be running on the stairs. I laughed but it made me feel all warm and fuzzy, as it still does 39 years later. You were so proud of Steven and Phil as they grew and went to college. You would be even more proud of the responsible men they have become.

I would love to see you with your great-grandchildren. Sometimes I close my eyes and imagine you with Mackenzie, Madison, Caleb, Nathan, Anabel, Maicie and Payton. The girls would wrap themselves around your heart. You would love Mackenzie and Madison’s beautiful red hair, brag on how smart Mackenzie is and melt into Madison’s big blue eyes. I can hear you say “hey, big boy” to Caleb and ask him if he hurt the floor when he falls over. Nathan and Anabel’s big smiles and mischievous antics would rate one of your great big laughs. You could never resist the littlest ones, so I know you Maicie would follow your voice and cuddle right up to her Papaw-Great. You would even find a way to communicate with Payton, The worst part of even temporary goodbyes are the things you don’t get to share.

I don’t understand everything about death, but I do understand eternity. Once again Dad, you’ve gone before all of us to pave the way. I am so thankful that you loved the Lord. I’m thankful that you believed in the Blessed Hope, that,” We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” Dad, I know that it is just a temporary goodbye and I am so thankful that someday soon we will be able to sit down and talk for eternity. For today I’ll just remember your smile, your deep voice and your arms holding me tight as I look up to Heaven and say “Happy Father’s Day.

AND GOD REMEMBERED....

I feel so alone. Nobody even knows I exist. Nobody cares. Does God even know I’m here? I’ve been obedient, done everything He asked but I think God has forgotten or is too busy with everyone else. Have you ever had days, weeks or months in which these words became your refrain? Then the story of Noah will give you hope.

Consider how Noah must have felt after God shut the door of the ark and the days continued to pass. I have read many different theories on how long Noah was actually on the ark, they range from 150 to 377 days. What we can know is that it must not have been the most pleasant of experiences. The Genesis account tells us that the world was so wicked that the mind of man was continually on evil. In the midst of the evil, God found one man, Noah, who was righteous, faithful, and “perfect in his generations.” God called Noah into service; gave him the instructions and Noah obeyed. Genesis 6:22 tells us, “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” I have to confess that I’m not sure I could say I have equaled Noah in faithfulness.

Finally, the years of building the ark, as God had commanded ended, the animals were gathered into the ark along with Noah, his wife, three sons and their wives. For seven days they waited for somebody; anybody from the congregation Noah had preached to for all those years of building, to join them in the ark of salvation. Imagine his disappointment when no one came and God shut the door. The long rainy days began. The monotony of feeding the animals, cleaning the waste, listening to the rain, living in the gloom and repeating it day after day had to have been depressing. There was nobody to care if Noah existed except a depressed wife and kids and hundreds of loud, stinky animals. Had God forgotten him? After all he had done for God was he sentenced to die on a creaky boat, alone and forgotten? NO, THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE STORY! Genesis 8:1records, “And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark…”

We all go through seasons of loneliness and isolation. We are studying God’s Word, seeking His will through prayer, obeying everything we know and hear from God, yet we seem to still be stuck on a stinky boat. God hasn’t forgotten you; the stinky boat is all part of His plan. Wonderful, fresh, new adventures are ahead. After many days, when the time is right your story will continue, “And God remembered….”

FAVOR IS ABSOLUTELY FAIR

A few years ago, the famous Pentecostal preacher, T.D. Jakes preached a message entitled, “Favor Ain’t Fair.”  It was one of the messages at which you find yourself yelling, “AMEN,” high-fiving someone and at times jumping up just to relieve the excitement.  To me it was also one of those messages that a day later found me saying, “Huhhh?”  “Favor ain’t fair?”  Are you saying, “God ain’t fair?”  For years, now, every time I hear someone use this quote, a red flag pops up in my brain and says, “Huhhh?”

I have been blessed to be the recipient of God’s favor in some things but not everything.  I know people that seem to live under the “favor spout” while others have never found the place where favor is poured out.  Soooo, maybe “Favor ain’t fair.”  Except something in me refuses to accept that statement.  If favor ain’t fair and its God’s favor, that would make God not fair.  I decided to find the answer once in for all and opened my Bible.  I found there were men and women who received the favor of God and many who did not.  I also discovered that every single person who received God’s favor had one thing in common; FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE.

Take Noah for example.  Genesis 6:8 tells us that Noah found grace (or favor) in the eyes of the Lord.  Why?  Was it a random choice?  Did God like his name or the family he was born into?  Genesis 6:9 explains why God’s favor rested on Noah and through him allowed life to continue on earth; “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.”  Hebrews 11:7 again repeats, “By FAITH, Noah…..became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”  The Bible records that Noah was a Preacher of Righteousness and I believe that during the years of building and preaching, God gave everyone the opportunity to share in the favor He bestowed upon Noah.  Obviously, no one else obeyed God’s command, so was God’s favor unfair?

 Let’s move on to Abraham.  I ask the questions again, random choice or good family?  Abraham was born in a pagan land to a family who worshiped pagan gods, yet somehow out of all of his family, Abraham knew and believed in the one true God because when he heard God’s voice, he obeyed without hesitation.  Why was Abraham blessed along with all of his descendants?  Hebrews 11:8 answers the question, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance.”  Because of Abraham’s FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE, Galatians promised, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”  Because of the favor shown to Abraham, his descendants become “God’s Chosen People.”  We also have the opportunity to share in the promise according to Galatians 3:9, “So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.”  Notice there is a condition, FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE.  Is God being unfair to those who are not of faith?

As a mom, I possess the power to bestow favor upon my children, as I choose and when I choose.   Because I love both of my children and would give my life for them, my favor is not handed out randomly or because I find one better looking.  My children are blessed because I love them but at times there is special favor given.  Let’s suppose I give both of them a specific task and only one obediently completes the task.  Would it be fair to show favor to the obedient and the disobedient child equally?  I can guarantee you the obedient child would answer emphatically, “NO.”  My favor would be given in a direct response to their obedience.  We are all favored with the blessing of salvation when we obey the plan God has set forth and become His children.  Is it fair for God to favor those who ignore His Word and through unbelief reject His salvation?

This opens up another question, “I have obeyed the salvation message, I try to follow after God every day, I pray and read His word, yet some receive favor for specific situations and I do not, what more must I do?  Perhaps there is nothing more you must do because it is not the will of God for your life or perhaps it is not yet God’s perfect timing.  Back to being a Mom and Grandma.  I have a 4-year old grandson, Caleb and a 2-year old grandson, Nathan.  I allow Caleb to cut out shapes with a pair of scissors but no matter how much Nathan kicks and screams, he does not get to use a pair of scissors.  Am I being unfair?  Is Caleb more highly favored than Nathan?  Someday, the time will be right and Nathan will get to cut shapes just like his brother.  If I have one son who loves peanut butter cups and another son who loves them but has a peanut allergy, it is not unfair to favor one with a peanut butter cup and the other with something else.  In my superior knowledge and wisdom, I understand that favoring the allergic son with a peanut butter cup would cause great harm; possibly death. 

Many times what seems to us to be unfair or God’s favor resting more highly on others is really the mercy of God preventing us from the very thing that could cause spiritual harm or death.  Paul said in Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” It was not because Paul had decided to just settle on less than God’s best or because God had decided to favor others, but Paul could say this because he had total confidence in his knowledge that “all things were working out for his good, that God had a plan for his life and whatever state he was in had to do with the plan of God being fulfilled.

I submit therefore that God’s favor is always FAIR. Maybe, not fair as we would measure it with our limited knowledge, but always fair according to the plan of God.  When we finally learn to submit our actions, thoughts, decisions and our entire life to God we will walk in FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE and rest in the knowledge that God’s favor is ABSOLUTELY FAIR.

SATAN CANNOT GO BEHIND THE VEIL

In a recent discussion on prayer, a friend made a comment about a remark a minister had made years ago, regarding prayer, which affected her still today. I had heard the same remark and it had the same affect on me, creating a fear and carefulness in my daily devotions. During a sermon, the minister had remarked, “Be careful what you say when you pray, the devil is listening and will use your words against you.” After hearing those instructions, I found myself weighing my words and at times mentally praying them in fear that Satan would come against me if I verbalized my feelings and needs to my Heavenly Father. This is NOT a biblical concept. Pastors, please be aware that what may sound good to you can affect someone’s walk with God negatively, if it is not based on The Word.

1 John 5:14-15”And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us:”

The Bible teaches that we are to have CONFIDENCE in the Lord. We cannot have total confidence in Him if we are always afraid that “what we say may be used against us.” We have all heard of “Lawyer/Client Privilege.” It is a law that states whatever a client tells in private to his/her lawyer cannot be revealed to the jury and used against him/her in judgment. Do we believe that God is less trustworthy than a lawyer? Now that privilege does not exist if the client allows a third party in on the conversation. The Father/Child privilege ceases to be viable if we include a phone gossip session, daily whining and complaining to whomever will listen or a Facebook post for the entire world to see. We must keep the petition between ourselves and God.

Back to my struggle with prayer, I believe that God revealed to me that when I am on my knees in consultation with Him that I can be totally honest about my innermost feelings and ask or say anything that is in my heart. Many times I have poured out my hurts and frustrations to Him and after feeling His arms of comfort, listened as He gently showed me what needed to be changed in my life. Not one time has God allowed Satan to use it against me. God is not Connie Chung leaning forward as she tells Newt’s mother, “it will be just between you and me,” on national television. Proverbs 3:26 tells me, “For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.” He can be depended on.

Hebrews 6:1-19 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil;

I believe that when we enter into our “prayer closet” to spend time alone with God, we enter into the Holy of Holies and approach the very Throne of God. The Bible tells us that to get to the Holy of Holies we must go behind the Veil and behind the Veil is the Mercy Seat. Let me assure you, the devil is not allowed to go behind the Veil because it would require that he go through the Blood of Jesus Christ. We can have confidence that when we approach the Throne of Grace, that Satan is no where around and we can tell God anything and everything.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.