Sunday, May 29, 2016
Blessings and Trials
Here it is Sunday evening and we are thinking back on our week of blessings and trials! It has been a good week in so many ways. We are thankful that John has a great appetite and his food sets well if he doesn't forget to chew his food properly! (A lesson all of us need to learn) John and I both sleep soundly and if we do wake up we go back to sleep quickly - we are very thankful for good rest! John has been on some rather strong medication and his stomach can handle it and he has a clear head. Together we praise God for these things! We are thankful for all the family and friends who love us and call on us and pray for us on a continual basis. Your prayers are felt and we know they have given calmness and strength as well as protection. Thank you to all you dear people praying!!
This week Saturday, May 28 was John's birthday and we were blessed beyond words with a houseful of kids and grandkids and great grandkids stopping by to wish John a happy 78th birthday. John felt so strong all afternoon enjoying our open house time with them. That night we sat down to a light dinner after everyone left, outside on our patio. After we were finished I took some dishes in the kitchen while John tried to pick up a couple items for me (he was walking with his cane and wants to help me so badly). He slipped and fell on the concrete on his bottom (scared the living daylights out of me!) but God was so good and nothing was broken except some crackers he was trying to carry! We needed a neighbor to help lift him up as John was very shook up himself. We are very thankful to have close neighbors!!
John is still working on pain control (not so much from the fall but has had pain all week - fall didn't help though) but also weakness in his legs. They no longer hold him up so well. He said the hardest thing for him (and he wanted me to share this with you) is to realize this is something so different - to have a mindset that you probably won't get better in fact most likely you will get worse. All your life you get sick and always wait for the day when you feel better, right? Well this is very new and strange - to let go of life as it once was and put yourself completely in the hands of God. He says it is not such a bad feeling it is just so different then we are used to.
John is doing such an amazing job of living this way. He gives me courage each day as I see him handle all the things he has to.
Together we read something Oswald Chambers wrote that we thought expressed well how we feel about this season of life experience of really letting go and relying on God completely.
"In that day you will ask Me nothing." John 16:23 Oswald writes:
"When is 'that day'? It is when the ascended Lord makes you one with the Father. 'In that day' you will be one with the Father just as Jesus is, and He said, 'In that day you will ask Me nothing.' Until the resurrection life of Jesus is fully exhibited in you, you have questions about many things. Then after a while you find that all your questions are gone -- you don't seem to have any left to ask. You have come to the point of total reliance on the resurrection life of Jesus, which brings you into complete oneness with the purpose of God.......
In that day you will ask Me nothing -- you will not need to ask because you will be certain that God will reveal things in accordance with His will."
John and I feel we are waiting on the Lord with what He will give us each day. We have joy and peace as well as moments of tears and sorrow together, but we are learning better each day to know and believe that God has us in His Hands and His purpose will be accomplished!
This week Saturday, May 28 was John's birthday and we were blessed beyond words with a houseful of kids and grandkids and great grandkids stopping by to wish John a happy 78th birthday. John felt so strong all afternoon enjoying our open house time with them. That night we sat down to a light dinner after everyone left, outside on our patio. After we were finished I took some dishes in the kitchen while John tried to pick up a couple items for me (he was walking with his cane and wants to help me so badly). He slipped and fell on the concrete on his bottom (scared the living daylights out of me!) but God was so good and nothing was broken except some crackers he was trying to carry! We needed a neighbor to help lift him up as John was very shook up himself. We are very thankful to have close neighbors!!
John is still working on pain control (not so much from the fall but has had pain all week - fall didn't help though) but also weakness in his legs. They no longer hold him up so well. He said the hardest thing for him (and he wanted me to share this with you) is to realize this is something so different - to have a mindset that you probably won't get better in fact most likely you will get worse. All your life you get sick and always wait for the day when you feel better, right? Well this is very new and strange - to let go of life as it once was and put yourself completely in the hands of God. He says it is not such a bad feeling it is just so different then we are used to.
John is doing such an amazing job of living this way. He gives me courage each day as I see him handle all the things he has to.
Together we read something Oswald Chambers wrote that we thought expressed well how we feel about this season of life experience of really letting go and relying on God completely.
"In that day you will ask Me nothing." John 16:23 Oswald writes:
"When is 'that day'? It is when the ascended Lord makes you one with the Father. 'In that day' you will be one with the Father just as Jesus is, and He said, 'In that day you will ask Me nothing.' Until the resurrection life of Jesus is fully exhibited in you, you have questions about many things. Then after a while you find that all your questions are gone -- you don't seem to have any left to ask. You have come to the point of total reliance on the resurrection life of Jesus, which brings you into complete oneness with the purpose of God.......
In that day you will ask Me nothing -- you will not need to ask because you will be certain that God will reveal things in accordance with His will."
John and I feel we are waiting on the Lord with what He will give us each day. We have joy and peace as well as moments of tears and sorrow together, but we are learning better each day to know and believe that God has us in His Hands and His purpose will be accomplished!
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Instant Healing
Here we are another week gone by! It seems like a good week as I ponder all the things we were able to do. Last Sunday afternoon John and I drove up to the hills near here and to the gateway of the Sequoias. It offered us a beautiful view of Lake Kaweah as well as rivers flowing fast from the mountain snow melt. On the way down the mountain we stopped at a favorite ice cream shop and ate Three Rivers home made ice cream!
Many of you might not know what all John has wrong with him. Well as far as we know this is the list - his heart has been repaired with one stint but several other arteries seem to be clogged or partially clogged, he has esophageal cancer in his esophagus close to his stomach and lesions on his spine and hip which he was told was also cancer and which may come from another source. These things are too difficult to treat as there are too many and one would harm the other if treated. Some of you have asked me if we were given expectancy of length of life. This question doesn't bother me or John at all, but to tell you all the truth we figure it is a mute subject as we did not complete testing that might give us more definite answers. We decided to let God decide and take comfort in showing us by John's strength or lack of it when that day would be. So as many of you know we have chosen the way of comfort. We are signed up with hospice and enjoying the days God gives us at home.
John's biggest need for prayer is to keep his pain under control. There is considerable back and hip pain. He is such a trooper - he rarely complains - he is always trying to make my life easier by doing as much as he can for himself. He can't really bend down to pick things up he drops or put on his socks and shoes or step into his pants but I often catch him trying to do these things! I love him for trying but continue to try to be Johnny on the spot so I can help as needed. I love helping him during this time and I am so thankful we have these precious days to share together.
One day this week we got really brave and I took him to the Bible book store for his birthday gift and shopped for a granddaughter's graduation gift. We stopped by Costco after that (yes big feat) to pick up a few items. The cart makes a good walker (he does have a real cain and walker). We than braved a favorite Mexican restaurant. Yes that was a bit much and the next day John felt it but we were so glad we tried.
On Saturday we did another major envelope push - I had my granddaughter's graduation to attend while his daughter "Pop sat" him. They ended up going through some needed bookwork together. When I arrived home I prepared dinner for his son and family for an evening birthday dinner (for his son) at our house. We had a wonderful time sharing dinner and lots of reminiscing with old pictures. John looked so good all day but today he felt that too. We both decided it was worth it and we even made it to church this morning! God is good! Our pastor had a great sermon on Acts 3:1-10. We loved how he pointed out how being lame pointed to sin and when the lame man was made well it was the same as being freed of sin! The lame man for the first time could enter the temple court as his sin was washed away in his healing! No wonder he jumped up and down praising God! He realized by his healing he was redeemed by Jesus! He no longer had to be ashamed but could be accepted in the arms of God being made holy through Jesus. We also enjoyed the thought that the power that healed the man was only Jesus but we are the hand that helps lift up the person in need of Christ! It encouraged John and I to continue to share Jesus as this is what the church should be in the business of doing.
I, Vera, read this today from Oswald Chambers book "My Utmost for His Highest". I don't always love reading this devotional because he is so tough on what the spiritual life should look like. He leaves out no punches! When I walk through hard places (like now) I find it interesting that I enjoy his thoughts more deeply than when everything is going my way!
Here is a thought from today, "God is not concerned about our plans; He doesn't ask, "Do you want to go through this loss of a loved one, this difficulty, or this defeat?" No, He allows these things for His own purpose. The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, and nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way."
May God make John and I willing to have oneness with the Father in our suffering and uncertain days and trust Him to make us His servants as long as He leaves us here to minister until we enter His heavenly home! All who love Jesus and what He has done for us by dying on the cross and rising again are Expected in Heaven!! If you accept Him today - confess your sin and inadequacy and believe in Jesus you will be instantly saved just as the lame man instantly walked!! Instant healing!!
Many of you might not know what all John has wrong with him. Well as far as we know this is the list - his heart has been repaired with one stint but several other arteries seem to be clogged or partially clogged, he has esophageal cancer in his esophagus close to his stomach and lesions on his spine and hip which he was told was also cancer and which may come from another source. These things are too difficult to treat as there are too many and one would harm the other if treated. Some of you have asked me if we were given expectancy of length of life. This question doesn't bother me or John at all, but to tell you all the truth we figure it is a mute subject as we did not complete testing that might give us more definite answers. We decided to let God decide and take comfort in showing us by John's strength or lack of it when that day would be. So as many of you know we have chosen the way of comfort. We are signed up with hospice and enjoying the days God gives us at home.
John's biggest need for prayer is to keep his pain under control. There is considerable back and hip pain. He is such a trooper - he rarely complains - he is always trying to make my life easier by doing as much as he can for himself. He can't really bend down to pick things up he drops or put on his socks and shoes or step into his pants but I often catch him trying to do these things! I love him for trying but continue to try to be Johnny on the spot so I can help as needed. I love helping him during this time and I am so thankful we have these precious days to share together.
One day this week we got really brave and I took him to the Bible book store for his birthday gift and shopped for a granddaughter's graduation gift. We stopped by Costco after that (yes big feat) to pick up a few items. The cart makes a good walker (he does have a real cain and walker). We than braved a favorite Mexican restaurant. Yes that was a bit much and the next day John felt it but we were so glad we tried.
On Saturday we did another major envelope push - I had my granddaughter's graduation to attend while his daughter "Pop sat" him. They ended up going through some needed bookwork together. When I arrived home I prepared dinner for his son and family for an evening birthday dinner (for his son) at our house. We had a wonderful time sharing dinner and lots of reminiscing with old pictures. John looked so good all day but today he felt that too. We both decided it was worth it and we even made it to church this morning! God is good! Our pastor had a great sermon on Acts 3:1-10. We loved how he pointed out how being lame pointed to sin and when the lame man was made well it was the same as being freed of sin! The lame man for the first time could enter the temple court as his sin was washed away in his healing! No wonder he jumped up and down praising God! He realized by his healing he was redeemed by Jesus! He no longer had to be ashamed but could be accepted in the arms of God being made holy through Jesus. We also enjoyed the thought that the power that healed the man was only Jesus but we are the hand that helps lift up the person in need of Christ! It encouraged John and I to continue to share Jesus as this is what the church should be in the business of doing.
I, Vera, read this today from Oswald Chambers book "My Utmost for His Highest". I don't always love reading this devotional because he is so tough on what the spiritual life should look like. He leaves out no punches! When I walk through hard places (like now) I find it interesting that I enjoy his thoughts more deeply than when everything is going my way!
Here is a thought from today, "God is not concerned about our plans; He doesn't ask, "Do you want to go through this loss of a loved one, this difficulty, or this defeat?" No, He allows these things for His own purpose. The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, and nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way."
May God make John and I willing to have oneness with the Father in our suffering and uncertain days and trust Him to make us His servants as long as He leaves us here to minister until we enter His heavenly home! All who love Jesus and what He has done for us by dying on the cross and rising again are Expected in Heaven!! If you accept Him today - confess your sin and inadequacy and believe in Jesus you will be instantly saved just as the lame man instantly walked!! Instant healing!!
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Expected Once Again
Can it be true? So soon Lord? It is not quite 4 years of losing our first spouses and 2 1/2 years of marriage.............
For those of you who are reading and don't know what I'm talking about this is what happened. May 2, Monday, I, Vera, was scheduled for gall bladder surgery. The day before John said he felt his back pop and he could tell it felt pretty bad. We went to church in the morning but he was in a lot of pain so we left soon and did not stay to mingle with friends and family. I told him I could get someone else to take me to my in and out surgery the next day as I didn't like the pain he was in, but he wouldn't hear of it. We treated his back with some heat and rest and the next morning off to surgery I went with John taking me. I was checked in quickly and whisked away to the operating table while John decided he was starting to hurt in his arms and jaw as well as still having a very sore back. After thinking he could go home a minute for some pain meds he did not get far and thought no this is bad so he called a nurse who had been with me.
After telling the nurse he thought he needed ER it was discovered John was having a heart attack while I had surgery! God did spare his life, but the doctors were ready to perform open heart that very day, but John said no! "My wife needs to recover a bit and we need to talk", was his reasoning. They kept John in the hospital till Wednesday while all our children came like fast running cheetahs and helped me get home and back to see my husband after a bit of recovery, as well as keeping him company as needed. (I wouldn't recommend this)
After a battery of testing and trying to prepare John for the idea of open heart surgery he was sent home to prepare physically and mentally. Friday morning May 6 was going along great at home when suddenly John had another attack. We know now we almost lost him but what we did not know was this attack came from internal bleeding. Later on Sunday and Monday cancer on the esophagus was discovered and as more tests were taken, lesions was found on the spine and hip which also seemed to be cancer. John no longer was a candidate for open heart surgery and because of his weak heart and chemo could not be an option either.
How is John doing after doctors recommended looking at the fact that his life was good and maybe he should consider going home and enjoying the life left under possible hospice care? His thought was relief. That is the very word he used since he no longer had to worry about choice in the matter. He feels God has brought him to this place and he is glad he doesn't have a choice but gets to rest in the days God has left for him.
How am I, Vera, doing? Well, yes we are both very sad, but I know it is a God thing that I recovered as quickly as I did with all the emotional stress added as well as physically not being able to rest the way one would do after surgery. One thing I am sure of, as I look to God everyday He sends the comfort and courage I need to face whatever He gives me. Another very big comfort to me is that my husband John is so sure of his faith in God that he has no fear of dying and no anger at God's timing even though we both would have loved to have more time.
Every day we look to our Savior and see in His Word or some devotionals the comfort needed that is just right for that day. We are sure we are all Expected In Heaven very soon.
Favorite verse of John and Vera: I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25
For those of you who are reading and don't know what I'm talking about this is what happened. May 2, Monday, I, Vera, was scheduled for gall bladder surgery. The day before John said he felt his back pop and he could tell it felt pretty bad. We went to church in the morning but he was in a lot of pain so we left soon and did not stay to mingle with friends and family. I told him I could get someone else to take me to my in and out surgery the next day as I didn't like the pain he was in, but he wouldn't hear of it. We treated his back with some heat and rest and the next morning off to surgery I went with John taking me. I was checked in quickly and whisked away to the operating table while John decided he was starting to hurt in his arms and jaw as well as still having a very sore back. After thinking he could go home a minute for some pain meds he did not get far and thought no this is bad so he called a nurse who had been with me.
After telling the nurse he thought he needed ER it was discovered John was having a heart attack while I had surgery! God did spare his life, but the doctors were ready to perform open heart that very day, but John said no! "My wife needs to recover a bit and we need to talk", was his reasoning. They kept John in the hospital till Wednesday while all our children came like fast running cheetahs and helped me get home and back to see my husband after a bit of recovery, as well as keeping him company as needed. (I wouldn't recommend this)
After a battery of testing and trying to prepare John for the idea of open heart surgery he was sent home to prepare physically and mentally. Friday morning May 6 was going along great at home when suddenly John had another attack. We know now we almost lost him but what we did not know was this attack came from internal bleeding. Later on Sunday and Monday cancer on the esophagus was discovered and as more tests were taken, lesions was found on the spine and hip which also seemed to be cancer. John no longer was a candidate for open heart surgery and because of his weak heart and chemo could not be an option either.
How is John doing after doctors recommended looking at the fact that his life was good and maybe he should consider going home and enjoying the life left under possible hospice care? His thought was relief. That is the very word he used since he no longer had to worry about choice in the matter. He feels God has brought him to this place and he is glad he doesn't have a choice but gets to rest in the days God has left for him.
How am I, Vera, doing? Well, yes we are both very sad, but I know it is a God thing that I recovered as quickly as I did with all the emotional stress added as well as physically not being able to rest the way one would do after surgery. One thing I am sure of, as I look to God everyday He sends the comfort and courage I need to face whatever He gives me. Another very big comfort to me is that my husband John is so sure of his faith in God that he has no fear of dying and no anger at God's timing even though we both would have loved to have more time.
Every day we look to our Savior and see in His Word or some devotionals the comfort needed that is just right for that day. We are sure we are all Expected In Heaven very soon.
Favorite verse of John and Vera: I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Anniversary Blessings
I just read a news story about a woman who takes pictures of couples with their babies who were stillborn. It was an extremely touching article about how much it helped couples to cope with loss when they had pictures to look back at. I noticed one couple stated how hard that loss still was after two years. I truly know the feeling of sadness when you lose someone very close to you. Two years after losing my husband of 48 years it still hurt so bad and I could cry easily at any time of day, but now I can say after three years it finally feels easier. Maybe it's because I was able to marry again, but I do believe time as well as God's help does heal the sadness. I had to go to God regularly even though I didn't feel like it. Perseverance is something I believe in. God is worth sticking close to and always claiming His truth, never give up.
John and I celebrated our wedding anniversary this past week and had a lovely time in Palm Desert. We were able to attend a church in that area and we were blessed with a message on the Lord's Prayer found in Matthew 6:5-13. Today reading that article about the death of a newborn made me think again of the sermon we heard. You see it talked about the couple having a hard time understanding why God would do such a thing. There are so many "Whys" in life where we can ask - "What is that for, why God, do you allow that!!" In the Sunday sermon we learned it is important to pray for everything as Philippians 4:6 tells us to do. But what if we see prayer in the wrong way? Maybe the disciples felt they wanted better understanding as well, so they ask Jesus to teach them to pray in the right way.
I enjoyed some very helpful thoughts which I don't think I'll ever forget when it comes to prayer and knowing God better. First I do know we can't always have everything we want just because we think it might be good. God knows what the big picture is when we don't.
Matthew 5:9-13 "The Lord's Prayer"
Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.
5 things Jesus wants us to remember about prayer.
1. Remember you are praying to a Holy Father.
2. Remember it is about His kingdom not yours.
3. Remember He is the provider of all.
4. Remember His forgiveness requires us to pay it forward. (Forgive others)
5. Remember He is our guidance.
I also loved the thought of why do we pray? We get to pray to a Holy God who is our Father! Thinking about that alone is so amazing and intimate.
Finally how long do I pray? As long as it takes for me to say "your will not mine be done".
I pray these thoughts help you never give up and expect God to always be near!
John and I celebrated our wedding anniversary this past week and had a lovely time in Palm Desert. We were able to attend a church in that area and we were blessed with a message on the Lord's Prayer found in Matthew 6:5-13. Today reading that article about the death of a newborn made me think again of the sermon we heard. You see it talked about the couple having a hard time understanding why God would do such a thing. There are so many "Whys" in life where we can ask - "What is that for, why God, do you allow that!!" In the Sunday sermon we learned it is important to pray for everything as Philippians 4:6 tells us to do. But what if we see prayer in the wrong way? Maybe the disciples felt they wanted better understanding as well, so they ask Jesus to teach them to pray in the right way.
I enjoyed some very helpful thoughts which I don't think I'll ever forget when it comes to prayer and knowing God better. First I do know we can't always have everything we want just because we think it might be good. God knows what the big picture is when we don't.
Matthew 5:9-13 "The Lord's Prayer"
Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.
5 things Jesus wants us to remember about prayer.
1. Remember you are praying to a Holy Father.
2. Remember it is about His kingdom not yours.
3. Remember He is the provider of all.
4. Remember His forgiveness requires us to pay it forward. (Forgive others)
5. Remember He is our guidance.
I also loved the thought of why do we pray? We get to pray to a Holy God who is our Father! Thinking about that alone is so amazing and intimate.
Finally how long do I pray? As long as it takes for me to say "your will not mine be done".
I pray these thoughts help you never give up and expect God to always be near!
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
A Summer Trip
Egypt/Jordan/Israel trip was a highlight of my summer. I want to add it is a wonderful place to visit and I never felt unsafe or afraid, so worthwhile to visit. It was a trip filled with God lessons and was shared with 25 members of the church we attend. There were also 20 some from other churches around the U.S. We swam in the Nile, the Sea of Galilee, the Arnon Gorge River, the Dead Sea, we rode camels and donkeys, and hiked in many places Jesus walked and taught, as well as slept on top of the Sinai mountain range (where Israelites wandered around and Moses received God's 10 commandments). We slept under the stars, and we were taken care of by Bedouins. We learned that when a Bedouin takes you under his care he will lay down his life for you if you are in any danger! I did notice they stayed awake all night while we slept on the mountain top. How do I know this you may ask? I was awake too. I was able to see a wonderful display of God's starry universe but did not appreciate it the way I should have as I would have rather slept with everyone else who was snoring! What a chorus they made!
Have you ever walked under a water fall and then come back through it? I never did before this trip. It was a little frightening at first since my head hurt a bit from the force of the water and my eyes were blinded. A rock helped us find our way to the other side where our hands were grabbed by our leader - so good to hear his voice and know we made it! When we made it to the back side we were told now we had to go back through this time in the middle no rock, no hand! Okay ---- we could see the other side so I just decided hurry up and do this! My surprise was the knockdown a group of us girls experienced by the water fall smashing our heads. We all swam to safety laughing and glad we had survived. The special part of this was the lesson taught which was this is like God's living water poured out on us so forcefully that it can't help but overflow in our hearts and well up to eternal life! (John 6:14) God has so much love for us it makes us fall over - we cannot realize how much God loves us! I loved this picture of living water falling from heaven knocking me down! I will never forget the feel of that and how it is almost frightening yet so awesome when you make it to the other side! What a beautiful picture of how much God loves us and fills us with His living water!
We enjoyed so many visual faith lessons in Egypt by the pyramids, by the Nile and seeing how it is a country with a distinct line of lush green and wilderness - you are either in or you are out. It seems very close to who we are with God. We either are in or we are out. We either go God's way or the world's way - either in or out. God took his people to the wilderness to trust Him. Sometimes we need deserts to help us lean on God more. In my life I know I learned the most from hard times and leaned heavily on God to help me when I was needy or hurting. Looking back they bring so much comfort as I can see how God was so very close at those times. It isn't that He is closer, I just notice Him more. How about you?
We need to understand our God stories so we can share but also so we can glorify God with our lives and be ready for the biggest thrill of all - meeting one day in the temple of God! I was in the lands of the Bible which is amazing but I think the most wonderful thought is I was able to stand on the hill Jesus said he was coming again to. The Mount of Olives overlooking the temple area and the city of Jerusalem. Are you expecting Him to return? I certainly am!!!
Have you ever walked under a water fall and then come back through it? I never did before this trip. It was a little frightening at first since my head hurt a bit from the force of the water and my eyes were blinded. A rock helped us find our way to the other side where our hands were grabbed by our leader - so good to hear his voice and know we made it! When we made it to the back side we were told now we had to go back through this time in the middle no rock, no hand! Okay ---- we could see the other side so I just decided hurry up and do this! My surprise was the knockdown a group of us girls experienced by the water fall smashing our heads. We all swam to safety laughing and glad we had survived. The special part of this was the lesson taught which was this is like God's living water poured out on us so forcefully that it can't help but overflow in our hearts and well up to eternal life! (John 6:14) God has so much love for us it makes us fall over - we cannot realize how much God loves us! I loved this picture of living water falling from heaven knocking me down! I will never forget the feel of that and how it is almost frightening yet so awesome when you make it to the other side! What a beautiful picture of how much God loves us and fills us with His living water!
We enjoyed so many visual faith lessons in Egypt by the pyramids, by the Nile and seeing how it is a country with a distinct line of lush green and wilderness - you are either in or you are out. It seems very close to who we are with God. We either are in or we are out. We either go God's way or the world's way - either in or out. God took his people to the wilderness to trust Him. Sometimes we need deserts to help us lean on God more. In my life I know I learned the most from hard times and leaned heavily on God to help me when I was needy or hurting. Looking back they bring so much comfort as I can see how God was so very close at those times. It isn't that He is closer, I just notice Him more. How about you?
We need to understand our God stories so we can share but also so we can glorify God with our lives and be ready for the biggest thrill of all - meeting one day in the temple of God! I was in the lands of the Bible which is amazing but I think the most wonderful thought is I was able to stand on the hill Jesus said he was coming again to. The Mount of Olives overlooking the temple area and the city of Jerusalem. Are you expecting Him to return? I certainly am!!!
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Memories
Have you ever sat down and tried to clean up your iPhone of pictures and videos? Well I just did since my phone had 2000 plus pictures and videos on it! Yikes! I decided it was time to do some checking on what I needed to keep or delete. It took much longer than anticipated and about 2 1/2 hours later I said to myself it's time to get some other things accomplished. One thing happens when you go through pictures, a lot of memories come to the surface. Those memories either make you smile, laugh or cry. In the end I think no matter how they make you feel, memories are very good for us to think about as well as ponder. If a person has experienced a great catastrophe in life and blocked it out in order to survive, later it will have to come out or it will make the person ill. So as I went back over almost 4 years of pictures I realized thinking about the memories was good for me.
One of the most important reasons to have a good memory about things we've experienced is it usually helps us see what God has done for us. Recounting blessings is good because you forget how many good things you've enjoyed, anyway I can. I realized going through pictures how many celebrations I had with family and friends, since that is when you take pictures most. I also saw so many pictures of hikes done in beautiful scenic places, races run with friends and family (I happen to enjoy running), and taking care of my grandkids. The videos taken of grandkids made me laugh uproariously all by myself! Lots and lots of blessings! Remembering things also helps me not be afraid of the future as I recall God's constant care during hard and uncertain days and the decisions that needed to be made.
Recently I reflected on a study of Jesus imminent return by Anne Graham Lotz called "Expecting to see Jesus". It helped me think deeply about being ready for His return to earth. I admit the older I get the more anxious and excited I am to meet Jesus. As I shared some thoughts with other women, one young woman honestly stated, "I don't think I'm that excited about Jesus coming right away! I really want to get married first (she had a very serious boyfriend - and is now engaged)!! I have so much life that I still want to live!" she confessed.
My heart went out to her because I remember when I felt exactly the same! Like - Jesus could you just wait awhile longer till I marry and have a family?? This is not wrong to want to live, because that is a God given desire and a command from the beginning to multiply and fill the earth! On the other hand I also know, without a doubt, when we arrive in the new heaven and the new earth (which IS coming) we will laugh at our desire to stay in this life as what we will experience is SO much better! My favorite line in the Book is Revelation 21:4-5 "He (Jesus) will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away! He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
Yes I'm definitely ready for that!!
A verse I memorized recently and encouraged others to do so, says it well,
"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day -- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing!"
2 Timothy 4:8
All this said - you young sweet women who are living with expectancy of God's blessings coming your way - ENJOY the life God is giving you as you marry, have children, or serve God at work or at home! Jesus came to this world and died for us and rose again and is coming again! He did this so we could have life and have it to the full! John 10:10b This means NOW and forever -YES we are EXPECTED IN HEAVEN - because of Jesus.
One of the most important reasons to have a good memory about things we've experienced is it usually helps us see what God has done for us. Recounting blessings is good because you forget how many good things you've enjoyed, anyway I can. I realized going through pictures how many celebrations I had with family and friends, since that is when you take pictures most. I also saw so many pictures of hikes done in beautiful scenic places, races run with friends and family (I happen to enjoy running), and taking care of my grandkids. The videos taken of grandkids made me laugh uproariously all by myself! Lots and lots of blessings! Remembering things also helps me not be afraid of the future as I recall God's constant care during hard and uncertain days and the decisions that needed to be made.
Recently I reflected on a study of Jesus imminent return by Anne Graham Lotz called "Expecting to see Jesus". It helped me think deeply about being ready for His return to earth. I admit the older I get the more anxious and excited I am to meet Jesus. As I shared some thoughts with other women, one young woman honestly stated, "I don't think I'm that excited about Jesus coming right away! I really want to get married first (she had a very serious boyfriend - and is now engaged)!! I have so much life that I still want to live!" she confessed.
My heart went out to her because I remember when I felt exactly the same! Like - Jesus could you just wait awhile longer till I marry and have a family?? This is not wrong to want to live, because that is a God given desire and a command from the beginning to multiply and fill the earth! On the other hand I also know, without a doubt, when we arrive in the new heaven and the new earth (which IS coming) we will laugh at our desire to stay in this life as what we will experience is SO much better! My favorite line in the Book is Revelation 21:4-5 "He (Jesus) will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away! He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
Yes I'm definitely ready for that!!
A verse I memorized recently and encouraged others to do so, says it well,
"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day -- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing!"
2 Timothy 4:8
All this said - you young sweet women who are living with expectancy of God's blessings coming your way - ENJOY the life God is giving you as you marry, have children, or serve God at work or at home! Jesus came to this world and died for us and rose again and is coming again! He did this so we could have life and have it to the full! John 10:10b This means NOW and forever -YES we are EXPECTED IN HEAVEN - because of Jesus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)