Viewing 10 - 18 out of 28 Blogs.

<< First  < Previous | Page:  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Next >  Last >>

In America, we have been truly blessed by God. We live in one of the wealthiest nations of the world. Housing, food, and clothing are enjoyed by most Americans. Our area has the finest education and health care. We are free to travel about and free to worship our Creator.

However, sometimes our blessings can become our greatest curses. In America, we see these blessings as rights, instead of privileges from a loving Father. At times, we tend to get annoyed or even angry when things are "taken away" from us.

My Jamaican friends have a different outlook on life and on being thankful. For 6 - 9 months a year, they are away from their families. Yet, they still have a heart of worship and thanksgiving. While we thank God for providing us with financial blessings, cars, and the like, this is what we hear on Monday mornings,,,,,,sometimes as hurricanes are approaching their homeland or as a loved one has gone on to be with the Lord

I thank God that He woke me up this morning.
I thank God for giving me life and breath.
I thank God for waking me up in my right mind.
I thank God that I can speak to give my God praise.
I thank God for giving me eyes to see.
I thank God for giving me ears that hear.
I thank God for giving me legs that can walk.
I thank God for saving me.

May we be thankful this holiday season for the privileges He has freely bestowed upon us.

For how many blessings to we neglect to give thanks?

Since I have become temporarily housebound, God has shown me just how much I take for granted. My kids have their health. They don't fight - well, not too much anyway. They have love and affection for their parents and each other. We have a roof over our heads. We have food on the table. We are in a season in which financially we have no need.

But when trials come, we seem to focus on the trials rather than the blessings that are all around us everyday. We miss the small miracles that God sends our way. One such "small" miracle was right in my own backyard, but I never "saw" it until 2 weeks ago.

Every year, the women of our church have a secret sister. Last year, my secret sister bought me some flower seeds. I *love* flowers. My yard is full of them. Last year, I planted a packet of cosmos that my secret sister gave to me. They didn't grow at all. But this year, I had a packet of cosmos still left. I started them indoors and planted them in the backyard flower bed this spring. They hardly flowered at all, until I came home from surgery.

These flowers, which were not supposed to grow over 4 ft, have grown to 51/2 - 6 ft tall! I can see them from my upstairs bedroom and bathroom. And what beautiful shades of purple they are! Purple is one of my favorite colors, but it was also my mom's favorite color! My mom went to heaven in March. But these flowers remind me of her. Now, I can look out the window and see these wonderful  "miracles". 

I'm sure that Pat, my last year's secret sister, was not aware of what colors the flowers would be. But God knew! And He knew when I would plant them! And He knew when I would need to see them! This is just one of the many blessing He has bestowed on me. It may seem small to you, but it is a very big deal to me.

In America, our testimony time usually sounds something like this:

I thank God that He got me a car.

I thank God for providing me the money to go to college.

And we should give thanks when He performs wonderful things for us. But if you come to our Jamaican service, you will hear something totally different:

I thank God that He woke me up this morning.

I thank God for another day..

I thank God for being able to walk.

I thank God for waking me up in my right mind this morning.

As Americans, we think that we somehow are entitled to the good life. And when we don't get it, we demand our rights - even sometimes being demanding of God Himself. But in the kingdom of God, there are no rights - only privileges from His throne. And if we see all that we have as a privilege, it changes our heart to be thankful for what we do have.

Jesus,  I thank you for waking me up this morning and for giving me another day to live for You! 

 

 

 

God is always with me. It is where He sometimes takes me that gets me nervous.

I know I have said that before. But it is true. Lately, He has led me into the valley.  It has been difficult, but God has purged so much fear out of me. That is what He told me before the surgery. He had to have me go through this in order for me to face my fears. 

After the surgery, I had a reaction to 3 drugs, a sinus and ear infection, and a UTI. Put that together with menopause and the sleeplessness it can cause and Meneiere's disease (vertigo issues)and you get the idea. It has been one thing after the other. Yet through it all, God was with me.

At times, it seemed that God was silent. So, I had to hang onto the promised He gave me before the operation. And He healed many old memories in that dark time.

But I am noticing something.Several friends in our church are also experiencing similar situations. One friend took 2 month to recover from surgery, she then lost her job, and recently, she had a biopsy done.

Another friend had his cancer return. Today he is being operated on. His wife also had a biopsy done.

Another friend went through a gut-wrenching divorce last year. She has many health issues and now has to support herself.

Another friend has had one health issue after another.

What is God Up To?

Yesterday, I was talking with three friends. One friend has been having dreams about a disaster happening. The other two have been praying since they feel that something is going to happen in our area. I have had similar dreams to my friend.

It seems that God is preparing us.

He has given me verses lately that deal with hardening us to difficulties, relying upon Him even when days are dark. If the past few months have been a preparation, then I need to allow Him to finish the work that He is doing through my trial and not rush Him. 

What is He up to? I don't know exactly. But I will follow. 

When the disciples were a considerable ways from land, the wind and waves buffeted their boat. They could go back the way they came, but Jesus had sent them on ahead to the other side. Here they were trying to do His will and the wind and the waves were violently against them. And where was Jesus anyway?

After Jesus had fed the multitude, He sent the disciples on ahead in the boat while He dismissed the crowd. Then, He went alone to pray. While on the hillside, He saw that the boat was in trouble. But for the time being, He stayed on the hillside.

He stayed on the hillside!!!! And He knew what was going on?!?!? Yup.

But at the right time, He came out to them walking on the water. This miracle should have been a sign to them that He was in control of everything. However, the disciples were so focused on the storm (as a Cape Codder, I understand how they could be so focused), that they didn't even recognize Him! Peter was more sure than the rest of them. He said, "If it is you, tell me to come to you on the water."

We know the rest of the story. As long as Peter kept His eyes on Jesus, he stayed above water. When he didn't, Jesus became the fisherman and pulled Peter out of the water.

And once he was in the boat, the wind and waves died down. And.....

"Mark 6:53 "When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed."

Sometimes, God sends us into the storm. When my gall bladder started to explain how unhappy it was with me, I asked God for a healing. I am extremely sensitive to medications, anesthesia, etc. But God told me He was sending me through this storm...to help me face some of my fears. Yikes, 3 drug reactions and during those drug reactions I had frightening flashbacks of my drug days, but God held me through it all and healed each memory. I also had a sinus infection and the medication for it, plus the anesthesia and other meds all made me extremely dizzy. But He is walking me through them all. He is healing me, just not in the way I had planned.

Is God heartless, a God who tortures us to see how much we can stand before He comes in to save the day? No, not at all. But just like the storm with the disciples, He is more concerned with our character than He is with our comfort. Hard words, I know. But it is true.

The disciples needed a little refining before they could walk with Jesus into the next part of His ministry.It is the same with me. And it is the same with you.

If God sends you on into the storm, go. He will see all that is happening, and at the right time, He will calm the storm for you. 

I did it again!!!

You would think that I would learn by now! But, no. I just keep falling into this rut.

Let me give you an example.

When I was a senior in college (no comments of "higher math", please), my desire was to be the best high school music teacher.I would have a great chorus, an orchestra, and the best marching band! I thought that was what God wanted me to do. Why else would he call me to WSC's music department? Back then you only had two choices for a concentration, performance (I knew I was not good enough for that) or education. So, during my last month of college, I was having a....well...panic attack of sorts. People in my concentration were already being offered jobs, but not me. How was I going to be the best music teacher? Never mind that! How was I going to support myself?!??!!

And then one morning, during my quiet time, God dropped a promise in my heart that He would give me that which I had not labored for and that He would bless me. Wow! I knew that I was not the best musician or teacher. But He would give me the job I wanted and I would make lots of money, too.

And my first teaching job was....

At 8K per year, I was barely making my bills as a live-in special needs teacher in a residential school. So much for that "promise"! I sure didn't hear form God on that one, I thought. So that promise was shelved. 

Last year, in an old box in the attic, I found my very well worn Bible that I had in college. I felt God say to me to write down every promise underlined that He had fulfilled. Wow! And then I saw it! The promise I had shelved away.

It was then that I knew, He was indeed faithful! He gave me that for which I had not labored! I was certified music ed. I was teaching special ed! And inspite of my lack of training in this area, God did bless me. He showed me how to minister to those emotionally challenged teens. 

It's amazing the spin I sometimes put on God's promises....uh, like this week. I tried to interpret one of God's promises to my liking. And then, when it didn't seem to come to pass in the way I had spun it, I began to shelf it again. Oh me of little faith! 

God help me to see Your promises with Your eyes instead of what would be more comfortable for me. Give me the faith to believe! 

As the Jamaican chorus goes....

Press along saints, press along

In God's own way.

Press along saints, press along,

In God's own way! 

Persecution, demons spirits, 

Trials and crosses in our way.

The hotter the battle

The sweeter the voctory! 

I know that God is up to something.

OK. No duh, right? 

But seriously, I sense a change coming. It just keeps stirring in my spirit and it won't let me go. There is a sense of excitement and also a sense of hesitancy. It's that ol' flesh and Spirit war again. In the Spirit, I am very excited...even though I really don't know what He is up to yet. But  in my flesh, I want the itinerary spelled out in detail before I agree to this trip.

When my kids were very small, we would just put them in their carseats and they would be content with wherever we took them. As that semi decided to cruise into our lane, the adults were having a panic attack while the kids, fully resting in their parent's protective care, were out cold in the back seat. 

I need to be like this - resting in my Heavenly Father's protective care. There is a beautiful Jamaican chorus that gives me comfort during times of change....

His voice makes a difference

When He speaks He release my troubled mind

It's the only voice I hear

That makes a difference

And I follow one day at a time. 

OK Lord, I'm back in the carseat. Let's go! 

It is 4:19. Do you know where the Easter bulletins are?

Neither do I. 

I have the inside all ready to print. Now, if I could just find them.

I have searched all the usual places - 3 or 4 times. Worry? Me? Why should I worry? After all, Easter is only...uh...tomorrow. AHHH!

Usually, I know right where the bulletin covers are. But in the insanity of my mom's death, settling her estate, etc. I can't seem to remember where I put them. 

So, I did the usual prayers with God. "God, you know where they are. So, please lead me right to them." I would get a picture of a place in my mind and would go there...but nope. Not there. 

"Well, I guess that wasn't you, God. Could you please tell me where they are?" No answer. We had this type of monologue off and on for about an hour.

And then it hit me. Light dawns on marble head! "OK God, what is it You are trying to teach me?" No answer.

So, I frantically tore apart the upstairs - again.

I heard His voice, "I am in control."

"OK. Yes, You are in control." So, I began to clean for tomorrow, all the while thinking about the bulletins, family issues, bulletins, all the stuff yet to be completed... As I was washing the floor, I heard His voice again, "I am in control."

Then, I went out to our ailing van. And in the midst of the van I found .....

Not the bulletin covers, but all sorts of blessings that have been missing for a while:

My hubby's favorite mugs

Chocolate....mmmm! Not one bar, but three!

Peanut butter bars. Next to chocolate is peanut butter. Need I say more?

Missing videos (yes we have a large van), missing tools, missing lots of stuff that I haven't been able to find for a while. God knew they were hidden deep within the van all along.

He knows where the bulletins are, too. He just ain't tellin' yet.

And that's OK. When I really need them; I will find them. 

            &nb sp;    In the midst of lost things

            &nb sp;    In the midst of family issues

            &nb sp;    In the midst of AWOL bulletin covers

            &nb sp;    In the midst of a ToDo list the size of Africa

            &nb sp;    In the midst of unexpected blessings 

GOD IS IN CONTROL!

Lord, help me to get this lesson from my head to my heart. 

Amen. 

All week long I have been painstakingly planning our kids church Easter music video. If the kids are so excited, then why am I a wreck? I usually love to create! But this one video will stretch my skills to the max.

Would I remember all the props? Blue velvet curtains - wait! Stop right there! How would I represent the tearing of the veil in the temple with my living room curtains? Oy! And how would I keep them from being pulled down by my...uh...impish few that love to get into trouble? Liability issues run amok- eeekkk!

Storyboarding. Editing and editing again said storyboard.

Background videos and pictures for the green screen. Green screen?!? No one can wear green tomorrow. Did I send parents an e-mail about this?

Lighting for shadow reduction without kids getting burned - AHHH!

And while I am looking through the LCD, who will be watching the other little cherubs? Maybe I can use the remote?Now where did I put...?

And where can I find a background video? How will I shrink the kids in the video? Maybe I can shrink myself and no one will notice I am gone?...Naw!

Can I get all the filming done in time or will I need extra tapes just for the bloopers?

Opps! Forgot! Send parents an e-mail about NO green? Who will forget? *enter echo sound*AHHHH!

I need a vacation! A L-O-N-G vacation! *opps turn off echo*

*Enter kid in car voice*Is Easter over yet? *Stop voice because its too annoying*

 

STOP!!!!!

*Deep breaths! - No! - S-l-o-w! You're already hyperventilating!* 

I am NOT in charge here! God is!

He knows every possible possibility! And since this is His plan and His video - it will work! It will get done!

God I give this to you! Instead of worrying......it is time for a 

break! *singing*The joy of the Lord is my strength, the joy of the Lord...

 

 

 

 

On March 9th, my mom lost her battle with cancer.  Yet I have many reasons to give God praise!

1. During her last days, my mom gave her heart to Jesus! 

2. God showed me the angels that were standing at her bedside in ICU.

3, My husband and I were able to pray with mom, read Scriptures to her, and sing hymns to her before her home going. 

3. She did not have a prolonged death. She was only in the hospital about 48 hours.

4. God gave me the grace to do the funeral service. I was able to tell the gospel story, to tell about how He longs for us to enter into a loving relationship with Him, to family and friends.

5. God gave my husband the grace to do the graveside service. And he did a wonderful job!

6. Dan, a former neighbor and "adopted" brother, came to the funeral. He also heard about God's love.

7. God is restoring relationships within our family.  

8. As my mom was going from this life into the next, the nurse stayed with us. My husband told mom it was graduation day. He told of how Jesus would be waiting for her and how there would be no more pain or suffering. God used this to show this nurse, who does not know Him, about what awaits after this life. Her life was touched by what Matt said.

9. As I was at the wake and funeral, I literally felt as if God was standing behind me with His arms around me. I have NEVER felt His presence more strongly than during those days back home.  

Jesus did as He promised. He told me that she would be saved before she died. And He did much more than I ever could imagine! Although we may not understand why it has to be so hard, we can always rest in His promises! For they are yea and amen! God deserves our praise - even in the midst of the storm!

<< First  < Previous | Page:  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Next >  Last >>