Christ the Savior is Born

Rose of Bethehem-Selah

40 DAYS FOR LIFE

CLARIFCATION: I AM NOT THE SPEAKER....THE SPEAKER IS SOMEONE FROM 40 DAYS FOR LIFE...THE "I" IN THE EMAIL REFERS TO THAT PERSON NOT ME...SORRY FOR ANY MISUNDERSTANDING


PLEASE REMEMBER TO LISTEN TO THE SEAN HANNITY SHOW FRIDAY DECEMBER 26TH
I JUST RECEIVED THIS EMAIL FROM 40 DAYS FOR LIFE



Three quick things:

1.) 40 Days for Life on Hannity radio show Friday
2.) Final results from "HOPE" teleconference
3.) Wishing you a blessed Christmas!

Let's dive right in...

*****************************************************
1.) 40 DAYS FOR LIFE ON HANNITY RADIO SHOW FRIDAY
*****************************************************

I just got asked to be a guest on the Sean Hannity
radio show this Friday, December 26, to talk about
the sweeping impact of 40 Days for Life!

In addition to addressing the life-saving results of
40 Days for Life, I've also been asked to cover:

>> Obama's promise to sign FOCA (the "Freedom of
Choice Act") and what threats that measure poses

>> The strategy memo sent by the abortion industry
to the Obama transition team which calls for
radical expansion of the abortion agenda and
$4.6 BILLION in additional taxpayer funding

>> What local people can do -- where they live -- to
save lives and counter the abortion agenda

>> The plans for 40 Days for Life campaigns in 2009

This will be the single largest audience we have ever
been able to reach with the 40 Days for Life message.

Two things:

1.) I would appreciate your prayers that God would
give me the right words to say.

2.) If you want to listen in, the show will be on
from 3 - 6 PM Eastern time (Noon - 3 PM Pacific).

I don't yet know which hour will cover 40 Days for
Life, but if I find out, I'll let you know.

To find a radio station near you that airs the show,
simply visit: http://www.hannity.com and enter your
zip code in the form on the top right of the page.

This could really help to expand the involvement in
40 Days for Life during 2009!

GOD IS WITH US- CASTING CROWNS

God said bring them out of Egypt

Exodus 6:10-13

And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.
And Moses spake before the Lord, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh her me, who am of uncircumcised lips?
And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

Our Pastors and Leaders are often called to speak on behalf of God's children to national leaders and sometimes even world leaders. How often are they faced with the same problem Moses states here...that God's children are not listening to them; so how will an unbelieving world? God's response then was to command Moses and Aaron to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt' a place of bondage for the children of Israel . Moses is not only faced with confronting Pharoah but also the children of Israel who are focused on their bondage and their immediate situation,but not the promise of God. I pray that we support and encourage our pastors who are following God's instructions to deliver a people unto Himself. Pastors who are calling us to come and worship the Lord,to leave Egypt,to believe God and know that it is His desire to set a people free. Pastors who encourage us to trust God even when freedom it is not immediately apparent. Instead of griping and blaming our leaders for the time delay...let us pray and encourage.

My Computer Crashed

My Computer @ home crashed...not sure if itwas a virus or not...

Silent Night

God Remembers-God Hears-God delivers

EXODUS 6: 1-8

Then the Lord said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.

And God spake unto Moses and said unto him, I am the Lord:

An I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob by the name of God Almighty but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.

And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remebered my covenant.

Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shll know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the Lord.

God reveals to Moses another name by which He is called- He said but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known...according to strongs Jehovah means self existent, eternal. God is revealing to Moses who He is- He is the Lord, He is JEHOVAH, He is the God who appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God is telling Moses what He had done and will do- He established His covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, He hears the groaning of the Children of Israel who are in bondage and He remembers His covenant. He will bring them out of bondage, He will redeem. He will be their God and bring them into the land that He swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God keeps His word, He hears our cry and remembers the covenant. How wonderful that God hears our cry and receives our prayers because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We have access to the Father because of Jesus. When we seek God in our prayers they are heard because He remembers His covenant with us, He remembers that Jesus died for our sins and therefore whoever believes in Him has eternal life. God certainly cares and certainly hears our prayers but let us also remember the cost of the covenant we have with God the Father.

hillsong lead me to the cross

In His Arms

Christian Glitter by www.christianglitter.com

Yes I am Thankful

Am I Thankful? YOU BETCHA!!

Just Ask God

EXODUS 5: 20 -23

And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:
And they said unto them, the Lord look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.
And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou has sent me?
For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither has thou delivered thy people at all.

Pharaoh was the one who refused God and made even a heavier burden be placed on the children of Israel. The officers of the children of Israel went before Pharaoh and not God to seek mercy. Pharaoh refused to be merciful. Now as they are leaving Pharaoh they run into Moses and Aaron---and they blame Moses and Aaron for their current circumstances. They believed that they were God's messengers delivering God's word to them. Yet they blamed the messengers rather than Pharaoh.
Moses did turn to God and asked God why He did this evil thing. Moses wanted to know why did you send me...what happened...things are only getting worse...
I believe that God can handle our honesty...when you don't understand, when you are confused, frustrated take it to the Lord.
Moses could have been defensive with the children of Israel or got all macho on Pharaoh...instead he took his concerns to God.
Whenever, wherever, however God sends you forth always look to Him, turn to Him, seek His counsel and direction. Whether things look great or dangerous seek God first.

another informative link

This is another link for information and to connect with others who are concerned about our nation.


America Coast to Coast

Prayer Request from those who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus

Iran's Christian Call for Fasting, Prayer

From Christian World Newstoday...

Just Read this on the persecution blog

Iran's Christians are calling on churches worldwide to join them in three days of praying and fasting this weekend.

Elam Ministries, a group that supports Iranian Christians, says the church has come under increased persecution this year, including the introduction of a law requiring the death sentence for men who leave islam to follow christ.

Women would face life in prison.

In an initial vote, Iran's Parliament approved the measure overwhelmingly.
It is now under review before a final vote and approval by the Guardian Council.

It affects more than conservative talk radio...

Free Speech Alliance

Link is for information about the Fairness doctrine...let's fight censorship.

do not negotiate with evil

EXODUS 5: 15-19

Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?
There is not straw given unto they servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.
But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the Lord.
Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.
And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish aught from your bricks of your daily task.

Wow! These Children of Israel who have been in bondage these many years go straight to Pharoah. They were told that God would deliver them, they believed and praised God. Pharoah chose not to be obedient to God- Pharoah did not know or respect God. Pharoah not only refused to let them go but placed an even greater burden on them. So now these children turn to their captor who deals cruelly with them and try to reason with him. From a distance this seems to me to be foolish. How did they expect Pharoah to respond? Did they really not know that the order came from him? What were they thinking? Why did they not turn to God and ask Him what was going on? Why did they not even turn to Moses and ask him to seek God on their behalf. Why go directly to pharoah? I might ask myself the same question why not go to God first. How many times did I seek a solution from an ungodly source? Why deal with the person(s) who persecute you on your own strength and in your own name? It is God who will deliver you. It is God whom you can trust. Do not go anywhere, do or say anything when confronting the enemy of your souls without seeking God first.

Taking baby steps in getting informed and involved

Visit TEAM SARAH and check out the videos on Gerri's site

check out this site:

pretty cool videos on team sarah posted by sharon

Exodus- This is not the response I expected....

Exodus 5: 10-14
And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and thy spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.
Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not aught of your work shall be diminished.
So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.
And the taskmaster hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.
And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore?
What Happened? After many years of seeking God for deliverance we believe He had heard our prayers and was now at this very time going to set us free. Only to find out that we are going to be persecuted even more. How could this be of God?
What would be our thoughts, concerns and response if this were to happen to us?

LET MY PEOPLE GO

Exodus 4:29-31

And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel:
And Aaron spake all the words which the Lord had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people.
And the people believed: and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

Exodus 5:1-9

And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me int the wilderness.
And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.
And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the Lord our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.
And the king of Egypt said unto them, wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.
And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from
their burdens.
And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmaster of the people, and their officers saying.
Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.
And the tale of the bricks which they did make heretofore ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish aught thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God
Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.

For over four hundred years Israel had been captives in Egypt. They were in bondage for generations. God did not forget them -He heard their prayers and He had a plan for their deliverance. Moses fled to the desert, he spent 40 years in the desert. Moses met with God and God sent him to deliver the Israel. God became Angry when Moses insisted that he could not speak to the people, that the people would not listen to him. God called Aaron to speak the words for Moses. The words that God gave to Moses- Moses would give to Aaron to speak.
Moses and Aaron speak to the elders and children of Israel of God's plan for deliverance and the people believe and rejoice that God has heard their prayers. They worshipped God.
Then Moses and Aaron go before Pharoah and told Pharoah that God said let my people come into the desert to worship me. Pharoah said no and not only did he say no but put even a greater burden upon the people.
What happens when we have spent many years praying and then suddenly we have reason to believe that God has heard our prayer. We rejoice, we praise and worship God. Perhaps we brag on God to all who would listen. Then something happens that opposes what we believed God was doing and speaking to us and through us. The enemy of our souls defies God and creates havoc in our life. What do we do when it appears the enemy had won?

Random Question from Edie @ Rich Gifts

Edie @ Rich Gifts Random Question...Romans 12:2


ROMANS 12: 1,2
(KJV)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

It didn't take long for me to go round and round on this one...first I aimed for being transformed by the renewing of your mind...felt convicted that I was avoiding the present your bodies a living sacrifice. Well I eventually came back to the renewing of your mind.
Replacing my thoughts with the thoughts of God. A quick examination of my thoughts expose that my thoughts are not lining up with God's thoughts.
Mark 12:30-31
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
And the second is like namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
2 Corinthians 13:2
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
1John 4:7-20
7) Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8) He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9) In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that god sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10)Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11)Beloved if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12) No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13) Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
14) And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world
15) whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16)And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and god in him.
17) Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth our fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19) We love him, because he first loved us.
20) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hat not seen?
and this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.

So here I am at the beginning(if at first you don't succeed)
Renew my mind by examining my thoughts with God's word.
God's word says...If I love Him I will obey His commands. Jesus said that the whole of the commands rest on Loving God and Loving my neighbor. Paul said that it doesn't matter how gifted we are if we do it without love it is just a big noise.
John said if we don't love we don't know God. John had many other things to say about love such as if we don't love our neighbor whom we have seen then we do not love God whom we have not seen. That there is no fear in love.
Love is a hard and difficult step for me - probably why I need to keep coming back to the beginning. I have had the great fortune to come across people who truly love and they make it look so easy, so effortless....for me this is not so...
but nothing is impossible with God. Thank you Edie for this Random Question and for where it lead me...from considering being a living sacrifice to renewing the mind to God's Word on Obediance...to again praying that I learn to walk in Love.

One Nation Under God

Edie at Rich Gifts posted the following prayer and ask that we post about whether we are a Christian Nation. As some of you know the Lord has placed 11 Chronicles 7:14 on my heart some time ago...I am thankful for Lou Engle and others who are fasting and praying for our nation. I will prayfully consider what to post concerning Edie's request...in the meantime please go to Edie's site and see what she and others have written concerning God and our Nation, read the prayer and pray...
Edie Rich Gifts

Dear Lord forgive me for my own complacency in praying for those that you have placed in positions of authority over this nation. It is by the Power of the Name of Jesus Christ that we have become a great nation. Lord we have become a terribly sinful nation. Please pierce our hearts Lord. Call on your people thoughout this nation to bow before you in prayer. Save us from ourselves Lord. Open wide our eyes to see all that is happening in this country from your perspective. Cleanse our hearts. Holy Spirit stir the hearts of your people. Create an intense love for our Savior and desire within us to follow hard after you and to obey all that you command. I lift up all those you have placed in authority over this nation, that they would have hearts to seek your counsel and to obey you. I pray that you would choose leaders thoughout this country who will call on the Name of Jesus Christ. I pray that you would infuse courage into all of your people that we would no longer be silent but speak up for the Name of Christ. Lord give us one mind as we vote this election, the mind of Christ. I ask these things for your Glory and your Name's Sake. In Christ ~ Amen

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS...THIS WILL BE A WORK IN PROGRESS...

II Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

I believe that this is the cry of God's heart in this present day...I know that several have heard this call and have responded. But I do not see at least in my own community nor have I heard of any throughout America the body of Christ turning toward God, seeking His face,praying and repenting from our wicked ways. Yes I am grateful for Lou Engle and others who have been responding to this call for many years. Do we as Christians not take the times we are in seriously? Do we not take God seriously? Has our own walk become so compromised that we look more toward the world and it's leaders to resolve our issues. Our we serving Mammon and not God? Do we believe that abortion is a personal choice? Why have we accepted that God has no place in our schools? That creation should not be taught in schools? That it's okay to pray as long as it is not in Jesus' name? In the name of tolerance have we forsaken our God? Look at the issues we are facing and how more than a few people are fearful of the direction our nation is taking...then look at the churches and tell me how serious are they taking God?

October 20, 2008
LUKE 10:27
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.


Heavenly Father , forgive us for all we have placed our affections on that are not of you, for all that we have loved more than you. Holy Spirit search our hearts and minds, lead us to love the Lord God with all our hearts and minds. I pray that the hearts and affections of the American people will be place on The Lord Our God. For He alone is worthy of all our love, praise and honor. I pray for all this in the Name of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior

Look Who's Talking 2

today as I read the following passages from Isaiah 36

Isaiah 36: 8
now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of asssyria, and i will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.

Isaiah 36: 16
Hearken not to Hezekiah for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;
17 Until I come and take you away to a land like your on land, a land of corn and wine, a land o bread and vineyards.

Reminded me of the Look Who's Talking post and of this passage...


I'LL GIVE YOU ALL THIS IF YOU....
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them;
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Matthew 4:6

The Lord gave me the tools to identify who is speaking to me and now and He is showing me how to apply them.


..

What does in His Image look like?

Edie @ Rich Gifts posed this question as her random question of the week- What does in His Image look like? I have passed by strangers on the street that when their eyes looked upon me - I could see Jesus... those eyes were filled with such love-that touched the very depth of me-that with everything I am I recognized Jesus. I have been around people who were so filled with the Love of Christ that wherever they were there was a deep sense of peace. At times I have had friends love me with such a love that I knew that it was the Lord loving me through them. In His Image is a reflection of His Love...it is a time when you are so filled with His Love that others-yes even strangers on the street-recognize Jesus...God is love...Jesus is love...

Look Who's Talking

An Ancient Conversation Heard throughout eternity...
AND GOD SAID...
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
Genesis 1:29
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt die.
Genesis 2:17
DID GOD REALLY SAY?....
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman,
Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Genesis 3:1

IF YOU ARE REALLY....
And when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Matthew 4:3
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple.
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Matthew 4: 5

I'LL GIVE YOU ALL THIS IF YOU....
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them;
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Matthew 4:6

IT IS WRITTEN
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 4: 4
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Matthew 4:7
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Matthew 4:10

Does the devil ever stop talking? Don't you wish he would just shut up? Sometimes it just gets so confusing....but that's it ...isn't it....GOD is not the author of confusion. God's word is truth.
So whenever I am confused I need to turn to God's Word...Next time I am faced with the question -"Did God really say"- I am going to grab my bible and say let's go to the source and find out...Now this may take awhile since I am not as familiar with His word as I ought to be...So I may be reading aloud word by word, line by line, paragraph by paragraph, chapter by chapter...in fact let's read the whole book and really hear and know What God Does Say.
Then I will follow the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus and respond It Is Written...

It is not always that clear who is speaking to me...but when I slow down and turn to the Word of God and seek Him in prayer...more often than not it becomes clearer what is really being asked and who is really doing the asking...no matter the question I want my answer to based on God's Word.

A phone conversation with a friend and Jesus was listening

I guess this is a season where I am to look at my flaws...I was a bit stressed this morning when I grabbed the phone to speak with my best friend....I let loose with my pity party...I moaned, groaned and complained about everything...feeling ever so sorry for myself...one of the many stupid comments that came out of my mouth was "if it has my name on it I want control" ...my point was that if something had my name on it...whether I get credit or blame..I wanted control from beginning to end...I wanted my stamp on everything...I want my work to be a reflection of me...didn't want anyone else messing with it and placing their stamp on it...succeed or fail-it would be my success or failure...my friend then interrupted and said that as soon as I said those words she had the thought "If My Name is on her then I want control" we both stopped and then agreed it was the Lord speaking through her... to let me know enough...Yes the Lord gives us free will and with my free will I did ask Him to be Lord of my Life...all things were made by Him and created for Him...I was purchased with a price...He is the potter I am the clay...yet I am not fully submitted to my Lord and Savior...I have allowed the world to influence me...I have tried to make and create my self yet I struggle against the hands of my creator when it gets a bit uncomfortable...I am His creation and called by His name yet I am but a muddied reflection of my creator...but Jesus the master creator continues to work with me refining me, removing the impurities and molding me into His image.

Received an award from plant lady

I just received this award from plant lady - plant lady has a fabulous blog - she is very encouraging and a very creative way of sharing what the Lord places on her heart.
I am passing this award onto...
sharon
katrina
Both Sharon and Katrina have also been very encouraging to me if you are not familiar with any of these wonderful bloggers drop by their blog and say Hi...

Hide and Seek

Seeking God....
Ask, and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you;
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Matthew 7:7,8
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
John 4:23,24
How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray , doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
Matthew 18:12
There was a time that when I read the Word, Prayed,studied the Bible, worshiped or even when I washed the dishes or would take a walk...God was right there -with me every day every where...I should say that I was aware that He was right there I could feel His closeness..I could see and hear...this went on for years with very little effort on my part...Some say I had a very long honeymoon period with the Lord others say I had a very long infancy in the Lord...If it is an either/or - I have to confess it leans more toward infancy than honeymoon...infancy totally dependent on the Lord being fed ,nourished, directed and protected...but lacking the depth of the honeymoon period of deep intimacy and deep dwelling and knowing and being known...

For the last few years I am experiencing a distance between the Lord and myself...for a while at first I would panic...what's going on...what did I do??? Then I would be in His presence and realize that He has not left me He is still leading me and guiding me...but I did not recognize this until after the fact- I no longer had that sense of recognizing Him immediately... it was more like -Oh! That was you Lord! The time span in between seeing and hearing from Jesus grew from moments to days, weeks even months...
It began to seem like a game of Hide and Seek, Now you see me...Now you don't...or a game of Catch Me if You Can...Then I began to realize that the Lord was saying will you still pray, read the bible, fellowship with other believers, still love me even when you can't hear, see or "feel" me...Others have confirmed that the Lord is calling me to walk deeper in faith...
This morning I began to see that it is not a game of" hide and seek" as much as "follow the Leader" I look up and see the Lord and then I look again and cannot see...but what I can do is walk toward the direction where I last spotted Him ; so far when I arrive at that destination - once again I see Him in the distance - saying come follow me...

A New Step...Perseverance

Romans 5:3-5 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)

3. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance;
4. perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.




James 1:3-5 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)

3. because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything
5. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all
without finding fault, and it will be given to him.



There are times (more often than I would like to admit) that I want to give up...
Due to my stubborness and pridefulness - I usually don't stay with that thought for very long...but stubborness and pridefulness did not develop a Godly Character in me, did not bring me to maturity and a place of not lacking anything. At times I have been less than hopeful and times that I certainly lacked wisdom...
But I believe that God is working a new thing in me...working in me to will and do of His good pleasure...I am a new creation in Christ Jesus...the old has passed away...
so today I ask my Lord and Savior to work perseverance in me...that I begin to be steadfast in Him...looking toward Him and achieving His goals in His time rather than relying on self - running the race that He has set before me...as this is a new beginning for me I am not sure what the subtle and not so subtle differences will be between not giving up due to stubborness and not giving up due to perseverance...God's word says that it will work Character, Hope and Maturity...I am looking forward to receiving those promises.

A new begining - trusting others at all times

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 (NIV)

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
this is the first and great commandment.
and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Matthew 22: 37-40 (KJ)

Love always trust..
Do I always trust those I love? I confess that there are times that I suspect those I love...I question motives and I don't always believe that they will do what they say they will do. I have a hard time delegating responsibility to some because I don't trust that they will keep their word. Based on their past behavior I am reluctant to trust them in the present. I am working on renewing my thoughts and this will be a good place to start. I don't remember a time when the Lord has ever told me -You messed up in the past so now you will forever be untrustworthy...the Lord does provide opportunity for me to be faithful with little so I can grow into being faithful with much...If the Lord can trust me with little then I can certainly do the same for others...expect and believe the best of those I love...the Lord encourages and supports me with being faithful in the little...I too can support and encourage others in being faithful in the little...I can stop being prideful and stop thinking that what others do or don't do is a reflection on me...how egotistical can one be?...I can learn to confront with love and compassion instead of seething inside but say nothing or waiting until I am so filled with resentment and disappointment that I become hurtful and offensive...
I know how it hurts to be overlooked or when others have low expectations of me...I do not want to do this to anyone ever again. I will begin to renew my mind with prayer and God's word-I will seek to change my actions and thoughts toward others...to begin to trust.

God is doing a work here- Let it Be

I was speaking to my best friend about what I posted yesterday...we shared how great it is to have a friend who will just let you cry...sometimes well meaning friends can interrupt the work that the Lord is doing in our life by trying to "soften" the blow...
Our words have power...in the past I only thought of mean and cruel words as those I needed to be on guard against...but at times I need to curb my desire to "make it all better"... be careful not to use words that build someone up in an area that God never intended for them - sometimes it is best to stand by and support the work that the Lord is doing in someone. Sometimes that may mean they need to go through the pain and need you to just listen,hand them a tissue or give a hug.

Jesus -Lover of my Soul

Yesterday when I began to do my daily reading...I opened up my bible and began to read from Isaiah(I find nothing in Isaiah that triggered this)...then all of a sudden I started weeping...I could feel the pain in my heart...thus began a conversation with the Lord...He showed me the hurt I felt from being pushed aside...how much pain I carry because others perceive me as useless...what hurt and humiliation I have because people will say good and excellent things about me and their action toward me state something very different. How it doesn't really make a difference to me that the person who pushes me aside is insecure...the result is still painful...How much I regret all that I never read or never learned. How frustrated at my inability to learn on my own. How sad I am that no one wants to teach me. How it hurts to be someone who is so easily discarded and pushed aside. There is so much that I don't know...so much that I want to know.
At this time the only thing I know is that this is now in the Lord's hand and He is healing me. He revealed what was in my heart and mind: He let me know that He knows what is there and that He wants to heal me. I have no idea how this will work out but feel the peace, joy, and a great anticipation knowing that I and all that I am are in the hands of my Lord and Savior. Once again the Lord shows how much He cares about our concerns and that nothing is too little and does not escape His attention.
My post yesterday was about the futility of searching for self...then at a time I was not looking for self...the Lord showed me a bit of me but so much more He showed Himself as a very personal, intimate and loving God.

What Kind of Fool am I

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. Proverbs 18:2

In the world we seek to "find ourselves". We want to know how to improve ourself for ourself. Show the world our best self. God's word also tells us that the wisdom of the world is foolishness with Him and that the Wisdom of God is foolishness with the world.
God tells us to love the the Lord God with all our heart and to Love others. We are not to consider ourself above others. The world certainly does make a good show of caring for others-they feed and clothe the poor, they stand for those who cannot stand for themselves, create and enforce laws for our protection. But to whom do they give the glory? If not to God then they are claiming it for themselves therefore they are truly serving self.
I have been on a search for self and while there seem to be periodic revelation of self...there is no growth based on my finding of self. I often don't like what I find and without the Lord I am unable to do anything about the findings.
I have come to the conclusion that it is wiser to seek and to know Jesus. To obey His commandments to Love God and Others. By losing self I may truly discover the person Jesus Created me to be.