Wake Me Up Lord!

"Now I'm glad, not that you were upset, but that you were jarred into turning things around.  Distress that drives us to God turns us around, it gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain.  But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, and end up on a deathbed of regrets."  (2Corinthians 7: 9-10 The Message)

Some mornings I wake with a praise song playing in my mind. But, yesterday was different.  I woke knowing that God and I were having a conversation. Yes, I guess I was praying in my sleep, or was I AWAKE?  Whatever the case we were  deep in discussion.  When I became aware that I was indeed conversing with The Lord, I asked Him a question about a concern that I have had for sometime.  Immediately I heard Him say, "I already have that in motion. You only need to co-operate with me."  Wow, did He ever get my attention!!  I thought I was co-operating!  But, The Father quickly let me know that I really wasn't Trusting Him Completely!  Thanks for the Wake Up Call, Lord!!

Later, as I was working on my homework for My Sunday Night Bible Study Class,  Downpour, The Lord convicted me that not only was I not co-operating with Him,  I was not fully Trusting in Him, and that was a sin. That's when I realized that I had been guilty of the same thing that Abraham's wife, Sarah had been guilty of.

God made me a promise, but I didn't trust Him enough to wait on Him.  When I do this, I am saying, " Lord, You are not enough, You have not met my needs.  You are taking too long, I can't trust You to do it!!   I'm like a small child, I want it my way, I want it now.

Lord, please forgive me!! I am so sorry!!  How can I thank you for showing me the error of my ways? Father, help me to TRUST YOU COMPLETELY.  Help me to wait patiently for Your timing is perfect!  Lord, I believe, help Thou my unbelief!! Bend my will to yours!!

Voices of the Valley....

On Thursday mornings I am usually at my church singing with a group of seniors called "The Valley Voices". The name comes from the fact that we are a part of the music ministry of Spring Valley Baptist Church. But, this morning due to the fact that our children are on "Spring Break" from school, most of the weekly scheduled programs of the church are also on a break. But I wanted to share with you about this wonderful group of people that I am blessed to call friends.

We sing for church programs around the Midlands and also for Assisted Care, and Nursing Homes. But that is just the icing on the cake for most of my friends.

Many of them, weekly volunteer for "jobs" around the church. Some spend as much as three days a week giving of their time and their talents to our church and in other areas in our community.

When our Minister of Music asked me to join the group a few years back, he told me that I was the "baby" of the group (thanks Rick). But the energy that my friends have is beyond belief.

Many of them are also a part of a ministry called Agape Friends as am I. We minister to people in Assisted Care and Nursing homes, and others who for whatever reason are unable to leave their homes.

They share their lives by sending cards, visiting and or taking small gifts to those who just need to know that someone, somewhere cares.

Though I am retired from going to a "job" everyday, I still work in that I keep my 2 year old grandson daily and his 6 year old brother when necessary. Not to mention helping out with my other grandchildren when needed. I just hope that when I really am "retired", I will still have the energy to do what my "Senior" friends do every day!!!

"God, you have taught me since I was young. To this day I will tell about the miracles you do. Even when I am old and gray." (Psalm 71:17)

Photos of Life.... posted again

It's amazing to me how My Father works.

I was clearing out some drawers in my bedside table last week and I found some pictures that I wanted to keep, so I found one of the Photo albums and tucked them away there until, I have time to actually put them in order.

Tonight, as I was doing my lesson from  90 Days with The One and Only, by Beth Moore,  I was reminded of the Photo Album, when she suggested that we think about "Photos" that God may have of us.

I began to think about what pictures He might have taken of me.  Would He, like so many parents have pictures of my very first birthday? Or pictures of my childhood, or things that I have done since I have become a grown woman?  Then the thought hit me.... He is with me wherever I am, whatever I do. 

Then a sobering thought came to mind, what about the times when I am down, when I am hurt, unhappy, when life just feels like such a struggle?  When as Beth puts it... I'm in the Pit!!  The Pit of Despair.  That's where Satan would like to keep me.

But, that is not where God would leave me!!   No, He gives me HOPE to go on, to keep seeking Him, to keep finding my way.  Jeremiah 29:11-14 says," For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, to give you HOPE  and a future. Then you will call to me and pray, and I will listen.  You will seek me with all your heart, and I will be found by you."

The Greek word for hope encompasses more than wishful thinking. It means "confident expectation"  When God gives His word, He wants us to live in absolute expectation. When He makes you a promise you can believe that it will be His best for you.

"Observe how Christ loved us... He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of Himself to us."  Eph. 5:2 (The Message)

And quoting Max Lucado in his book, 3:16...

"If God can make a billion galaxies, can't He make good out of our bad, and sense out of our faltering lives?"

My Father, thank you for giving me hope when the world seems to be against me.  I know that when I can't see the way, you are still there before me, strengthening me, leading me, guiding me, loving me, even when I can't see what is best for me.

(original posted in March)

Watches and Warnings

All across the south this week-end we experienced many severe storms. Northeast Columbia was no exception.

It is my understanding that a tornado watch means that conditions are favorable, and a warning means that a tornado has been spotted in a certain area.

Around 5pm on Saturday afternoon my husband was watching television, and a weather alert appeared across the bottom of the screen. We took notice, but when we saw that it was for another county, we went on about our business.

We were preparing to go to a Bible Study Fellowship at our church. So I continued what I was doing in the kitchen and Dan continued to watch sports on television.

About 5:15, the station he was watching broke in with a weather update. The young weather forecaster said," If you are in or near the Northeast Columbia area, you must secure outside objects now, and prepare to take cover, if you live in a mobile home. Leave!! We were suddenly under a tornado warning!!

Dan and I ran outside to try and secure the patio furniture and umbrellas. We had no sooner returned inside when the storm hit! Fortunately for us, we only got a torrential down pour of rain and hail and lost power. The wind did knock down some limbs from the trees, but the tornado picked up over us and hit the small town about 6 miles down the road from us.

Many people in South Carolina have weather radios, which alert you to certain dangers in the weather. But you have to have the radio on to be alerted. Had Dan not been watching television at that point in time, we might have been like the people in Atlanta on Friday night, and not have known that a storm was headed our way.

In other words you have to be paying attention in order to heed the warning. As in the case of a severe weather alert, we must be alert to other dangers in our lives. Ephesians 6:13 says,"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand."

Proverbs 2:2-6... turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and look for it as for silver, and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 2:10-12... For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.

We must prepare our hearts in order to gain wisdom, and in so doing prepare for the STORMS of life.

Stay tuned in, in order to get the alert!!

" For the Son of man in His day, will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other." Luke 17:24

Give It Up!

I ran across this little song today.... I had heard a young boy sing it in a Passion Play that My Church had done a few years back. 

I was struck by what it had to say......

When things happen and you don't know which way to turn, just turn to JESUS  AND  Give it Up!!

 

Give it Up!

I had my loaves and I had my fishes,                                                       Ready to eat, would be delicious,                                                              

But then The Master took a look my way,                                               And   I knew why I was there that day, to

Give it up.... Give it up!

You got your struggles, got some fears?                                                Then listen to me, give me your ears.

Got a question, don't know where to ask it?                                               Do with it what I did with my basket---

Give it up.....Give it up!!

Jesus got strength you know nothin' of,                                                        His heart for you overflows with Love

He fed five thousand with scraps to spare                                                   He can meet your needs, take away your cares....

                Just Give it Up..... Give it Up!!

Safe and Secure

Do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has great reward.  You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what He has promised. (Hebrews 10:35-36)

There is pain the hearts of many today..... I just wanted to share my quiet time from this morning.

"But the Lord is faithful and will give you strength and will protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3;3)

We are on an uphill climb.  The wall is high, but the stakes are higher.  We took our first step the day we confessed Christ as our Lord and Savior. He gave us a harness, The Holy Spirit, and in our hands He placed a rope, His Word.

At first our steps were sure and strong, but with the journey came weariness, and fear.  We lost our footing, we lost our focus. 

  We lost our grip and we fell,  it was only a moment, but it seemed like forever.  We tumbled wildly out of control.  Out of self-control, disoriented, dislodged, FALLING!!

   Then the rope tightened, the tumbling ceased.   We found ourselves hanging in the harness, and found it to be strong.

Now we grasp the Rope.... and in so doing we find it to be true.  Though we can not see our guide.... we know Him..... We know He is STRONG, TRUSTWORTHY..... and we know He Is Able to keep us from falling.

 When you can't see Him... Trust Him... He is closer than you think!!!

    Father... we believe that when we see you any suffering that we endured on the face of this earth will be worth it!  Help us to understand, and when we can not understand, help us to trust you with our very lives. Remind us that you are there and that nothing that happens to us, takes you by surprise.

God In the Hard Times

Good Morning My Friends....

Monday our Minister of Music called and asked if I would be willing to sing a solo on one of the songs that our Choir is learning for our Praise Celebration in April.

The words to this song are so comforting, that I just had to share them with you!!

I wish you could hear the music, but I was unable to find the track online.....

I  ALREADY  KNEW

Unexpected tears fall down your face;      

You never dreamed that life would go this way,

The winds of sorrow blow and you fell so all alone, so out of place.

But God wants you to know that He is there, and when you call His name in prayer,

He says... "I already knew what you'd be going through, and I've been here right before you all the time.

I'm no stranger to the pain, for I bore the shame and suffering for you.

Your trial didn't take me by surprise.  I already knew."

You never know just what a day will bring, what lies ahead remains to be seen.

Fear has griped your mind, you just can't seem to find a song to sing.

But God holds your tomorrow in His hands, Though you cannot see His perfect plan,  He'll say...

"I already knew what you'd be going through, and I've been here right before you all the time.

I'm no stranger to the pain, for I bore the shame and suffering for you.

Your trial didn't take me by surprise, I already knew.

I'm the Future and the Past,  the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last..... I'll be there tomorrow, for I have always been.

And I already knew, what you'd be going through and  I've been here right before you all the time.

I'm no stranger to the pain, for I bore the shame and suffering for you.

Your trial didn't take me by surprise, I already knew!!!

I Already Knew!

I Already Knew!"

Thank You Lord.... In our pain and suffering You are there right before us!!  Thank You that YOU hold our tomorrows in Your hands!!! Thank You for bearing the shame and suffering for us!!

And thank You that we can call out to You in our suffering and pain, and You hear us!!

Breath of Fresh Air.....

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (John 1:1)

Today is one of those beautiful days when the sky is so clear and so blue that it takes your breath away.  On these days the air seems so fresh and clean!!

In South Carolina, we are experiencing the beginning of Spring.  The birds have started their springtime choruses, even before the sun has appeared.  New life is starting to bud on every tree and bush.  The grass is reviving from it's winter's sleep.

Spring will soon be in full bloom and for those of us with allergies, these will not be days of fresh air.  The air will be filled with pollen.  But for now the air is fresh and sweet and new.

As I wait for Spring and draw in these breaths of fresh air....... I am reminded of the words of a Praise song........

This is the air I breathe, This is the air I breathe

Your Holy Presence living in me,

This is my Daily Bread, This is my Daily Bread,

Your Very Word Spoken to me,

And I,  I'm desperate for You--

And I,  I'm Lost without You

This is the air I breathe,  This is the air I breathe,

Your Holy Presence, living in me,

This is my Daily Bread,  This is my Daily Bread

Your Very Word Spoken to me.

And I,  I'm desperate for You..

And I,  I'm Lost without You.

And I,  I'm desperate for You..

And I,  I'm Lost without You.

This is the air I breathe, 

This     is     the     air     I     breathe!

Desperate for fresh Air!!

Lord, fill me with Your very word, for I am desperate for You, and I am so lost without You.  Fill my Every Breath.