"You do not realize now what I'm doing, but later you will understand." John 13:7
Pay close attention to the word, "now" in that passage. I just about came unglued when I read it. Let me explain...I'm not sure about you but this verse couldn't have come at a better time. I was awakened at 3 this morning and having what I call a N.O.W. night. I'm not talking about a Night of Worship but a Night of Wonder, I might even go as far as saying it was a Night of Worry. I tried fighting the urge to get up but worry and concern kept me from laying there tossing and turning until 5 AM when my alarm usually goes off. I was so overwhelmed I hardly knew what to do. Thank God for the strength to get out the Bible study a friend of mine and I are doing together. We're studying the Psalms of Ascent. I did two days out of my workbook and I can't get over how timely and fitting they both were.
Before I knew it I had written the word, "now" three times just in the first homework assignment. That's how I came up with Night of Wonder as I was wondering about my present circumstances. I thought for a few minutes about others who have had these kind of nights where worry gets the best of you and robs you of sleep. I say, "rob" because there have been times I should have gotten up and searched scriptures instead of laying there not sleeping while wondering, worrying and wrestling over different situations.
There were very probing questions in both of the homework assignments. There were also a lot of liberating verses that reminded me of how much God loves me as His child. Our passage was from Ps. 124: 1-8 and at the end of the 2nd assignment, we had to turn it into a prayer. However, when she asked us to write down the verse that I began with, John 13:7, I started weeping because it was as if God Himself made me get out of the bed to tell me that He knows I don't understand what He is or isn't doing in my circumstances right now but that one day I will. Shew, that's good stuff ya'll. It gets even better than that, hang on! Praise you Father!! There were other verses that reminded me where I might or could have been had I not turned over my life to Him many years ago which caused me to kneel before Him in praise and gratitude. I don't even have the time or space to tell it all as far as how or where I could have ended up. I was thrilled to be reminded, "If the Lord had not been on my side."
The study then took me to a list of promises from Romans 8:28-39 in which I had to place my name in the first slot so that I could take each promise from these passages and apply them. Near the end of the homework I read about a prostitute who had walked into a group in Cape Town, South Africa where some women had gotten together to do a Bible study called, "Breaking Free". She told the women in that group that she "could never go back to her old life." I about had me a fit because this is the exact study that our Life Group just agreed on doing this past Monday night. Now out of all the studies we could have chosen, it was the same exact one which that was mentioned in today's lesson which for me was just another confirmation. It's pretty funny too because I have done this particular study years ago and I would have never thought about doing it again so that's why it wasn't laid on my heart beforehand because I would have argued with God about it. At this point in the lesson my N.O.W. night turned into a W.O.W. morning because I went from a Night of Wonder to a Woman of Worship over the passages I was directed to and because of the confirmation of our study of choice!!
At the end of the last day of homework for the week we had to close in our own prayer from
Ps. 124:1-8. During my prayer that I wrote based off these scriptures, I couldn't help but think about God being my "very present help in the time of need."
So to recap, He met me in my Night of Wonder and lifted a T.O.N. off me in my Time of Need and turned me into a Woman of Worship because He confirmed His love for me through His Word!
Okay, I know, the guys who might be reading this are probably thinking she is weird, she's lost it, she's corny, etc. but I'll tell you what I told the ladies at our Just for the Girls event, "me and Jesus got our own thing goin'." I know the women reading this can relate, it's a woman thang!!!
Be encouraged today, you may not understand what He's doing right now but one day you will!!! He said it, not me.
Have a blessed day!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Celebrating Linda
Rick's older brother, Larry, held a shower for their sister at his church who recently reunited with our family. I took tons of pictures but I'll only post a couple of them. This is the sister that I wrote earlier about called, "Victory."
This is Linda, Sandra and their mother.
This is Rick with his two sisters. Linda, Rick and Sandra.
This is Linda, Sandra and their mother.
This is Rick with his two sisters. Linda, Rick and Sandra.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Festival of Life at Highlands
Okay, so I'm a proud "Mimi". Last night was Michal's first, "Festival of Life" and I couldn't help but take tons of pictures. I thought I would share a few.
Michal is going to greet his Papa. He's such a sweet little dragon.
Michal is having a ghost painted on his face right here. When she was finished, he turned and pointed to the other side of his face but we gave someone else a turn.
Oh my, what a sweet face!
He's being all shy right here.
Michal is going to greet his Papa. He's such a sweet little dragon.
Michal is having a ghost painted on his face right here. When she was finished, he turned and pointed to the other side of his face but we gave someone else a turn.
Oh my, what a sweet face!
He's being all shy right here.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Car Signs
Okay, I read bumper stickers too. Some make me feel violated, others make me laugh and some make me aggravated. Just today after leaving Wal-Mart, I ended up in an awkward place in the parking lot. Cars kept piling up at the stop sign and no one was kind enough to let me pull out to get in line for the stop sign. As I'm sitting there I kept watching car after car go by. I finally see this nice van in view and noticed that he had a license plate on the front that said, "Jesus". It was in bold and italics, something like "Jesus" on a silver plate, all shiny and stuff. I couldn't help it, I thought this guy was gonna let me out 'cause he's a Christian and all. I mean he even had on his Sunday go to meeting clothes!!!! Before I knew it he passed me right by and I couldn't help but shout out loud in my car, windows were up of course, "Well Jesus would have let me out!!!" I said it before I knew it. I know, mild case of road rage. A couple cars after the Jesus van went by a young guy, dressed casual and polite too, let me pull out. He didn't have a sign on his car but he sure was acting like Jesus would and that was putting others before himself.
I couldn't help but think how many of us profess we are Christians and wear the name of Jesus yet fail to follow in His footsteps by putting others before ourselves. I could go on and on because this lesson would teach but I'll spare you my thoughts on this. I do hope it gives you some food for thought like it has me. Ouch!
I hope you are enjoying your Sunday afternoon.
I couldn't help but think how many of us profess we are Christians and wear the name of Jesus yet fail to follow in His footsteps by putting others before ourselves. I could go on and on because this lesson would teach but I'll spare you my thoughts on this. I do hope it gives you some food for thought like it has me. Ouch!
I hope you are enjoying your Sunday afternoon.
Belief vs Hope
It's funny that when a prayer is answered some of the first things that come out of our mouths are, "Can you believe this" or "I just can't believe this is real", etc. I began thinking about this since Rick's sister has returned home to her family.
We pray for years for something in particular and then when it happens, we're actually shocked and completely surprised. I wonder if we prayed believing instead of praying and hoping how many requests would actually come to fruition? Things might even happen a little sooner.
It makes me think of something I read in Beth Moore's, "Believing God." She stated something to the effect that, "Instead of wishing and whining that we need to start believing and receiving." The point is to actually believe that God is believable!
We pray for years for something in particular and then when it happens, we're actually shocked and completely surprised. I wonder if we prayed believing instead of praying and hoping how many requests would actually come to fruition? Things might even happen a little sooner.
It makes me think of something I read in Beth Moore's, "Believing God." She stated something to the effect that, "Instead of wishing and whining that we need to start believing and receiving." The point is to actually believe that God is believable!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Another Victory!!!
Years ago my friend and I did a brief study of numbers and their meanings according to the Bible. She and I have shared stares and giggles when things would happen because we would relate the event or the happening to the numbers. For example, we learned that the #17 is the number for Victory! Don't panic, we didn't go overboard and it's actually something that she and I have shared and laughed over for a very long time. It's kind of one of those "private joke" things that friends have, somewhat difficult to explain. Yesterday, Oct. 17, 2007 a reunion took place and yes I noticed that it was on the 17th!! If she's reading this, she's laughing.
Last Friday we received a call that a "long-lost" family member was found living in Kingsport. It stirred many emotions within the family and the phone hardly stopped ringing with ideas and plans of how she could be approached. On Monday morning as Rick was leaving for work he shared with me how excited, yet concerned, that he was and how much he wanted reconciliation. He began to cry when sharing his memories of what used to be. I wrapped my arms around him and began praying that God would bring reconciliation and restoration to this situation because I myself have been in the very same shoes. I left for work and requested prayer at our Staff meeting later that morning for my husband's family. On Tuesday at the close of our Life Group meeting, I did the same. When I got home from work late that night Rick read to me a letter that he wrote to this loved one and told me that this coming Friday he was going to find her and place it in her hands himself. I continued to whisper silent prayers and had asked a friend of mine at work to join me in praying about it. I knew that the situation had to be handled carefully and told him not to do anything until he had complete peace about it.
On Wednesday, Oct. 17th Rick and I sat across from one another discussing the calls he had gotten about this loved one. As our dinner was served his phone rang. His brother Larry said, "Rick, I'm here at the Salvation Army and I have found someone and she wants to talk to you." I could definitely tell something major had occurred and then I heard him say her name, "Linda". He began crying and said, "I've waited so long to hear your voice, can I please come and see you?" She too was crying and then I heard him say, "I love you and I'm on my way." We grabbed our waitress, paid our bill and left so quickly it's a blur. I drove him to Kingsport as he offered up many, many shouts of praise, "Thank You God, Praise You Lord!" He called everyone he knew that had been praying and he shook uncontrollably.
After 22 years of not seeing or talking with his sister, the one that he was the closest with due to their love and passion for music, he was finally on his way. He had band practice tonight but had called one of the band members and said, "I'm 5 minutes away from seeing my sister for the first time after 22 years so I won't be at rehearsal." As we pulled up I wasn't sure if he was going to let me stop the car before he jumped out. She wasn't there! His brother and sister-in-law were and they were waiting for the car to arrive with her in it and then she came. Talkin' about a perfect picture of Luke 15, "The Prodigal". She invited us in to her very small apartment and after many hugs, stares, and tears she pulled out the portable keyboard. Rick was glued to her and they couldn't talk fast enough about their days together putting chords together and changing words to certain songs. She said that she had been working on an old song called, "Daystar Shine Down on Me". Rick and I had just sung that song two weeks ago at church in our Gospel venue. God was preparing us then to break out in harmony with his sister who returned home. We sat there in amazement as we stared at one another, watching and listening as Linda played. I had only heard of her talent and now I was singing alto with the one and only. Tears fell down our faces as we tried to sing the best we could. After that song we began singing, "The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me" and "I Won't Have to Worry Anymore". Can you imagine?!!!
Larry and Jeannie left us and said they would return in about 30 minutes. We continued to sing, talk and laugh together and then the knock came to the door. Rick's mother who is now 85 years old, walked in on what she's waited many years for. Larry had gone to get her to reunite her with her daughter, her "sweet Linda". I stand amazed at this miracle!!
The night lasted quiet a while and we all had gone over to Larry's house where other family members came to see and the phone never stopped ringing. For years we have prayed and for years we'll rejoice that our God prevailed!!
Another lesson in perseverance that paid off!
Last Friday we received a call that a "long-lost" family member was found living in Kingsport. It stirred many emotions within the family and the phone hardly stopped ringing with ideas and plans of how she could be approached. On Monday morning as Rick was leaving for work he shared with me how excited, yet concerned, that he was and how much he wanted reconciliation. He began to cry when sharing his memories of what used to be. I wrapped my arms around him and began praying that God would bring reconciliation and restoration to this situation because I myself have been in the very same shoes. I left for work and requested prayer at our Staff meeting later that morning for my husband's family. On Tuesday at the close of our Life Group meeting, I did the same. When I got home from work late that night Rick read to me a letter that he wrote to this loved one and told me that this coming Friday he was going to find her and place it in her hands himself. I continued to whisper silent prayers and had asked a friend of mine at work to join me in praying about it. I knew that the situation had to be handled carefully and told him not to do anything until he had complete peace about it.
On Wednesday, Oct. 17th Rick and I sat across from one another discussing the calls he had gotten about this loved one. As our dinner was served his phone rang. His brother Larry said, "Rick, I'm here at the Salvation Army and I have found someone and she wants to talk to you." I could definitely tell something major had occurred and then I heard him say her name, "Linda". He began crying and said, "I've waited so long to hear your voice, can I please come and see you?" She too was crying and then I heard him say, "I love you and I'm on my way." We grabbed our waitress, paid our bill and left so quickly it's a blur. I drove him to Kingsport as he offered up many, many shouts of praise, "Thank You God, Praise You Lord!" He called everyone he knew that had been praying and he shook uncontrollably.
After 22 years of not seeing or talking with his sister, the one that he was the closest with due to their love and passion for music, he was finally on his way. He had band practice tonight but had called one of the band members and said, "I'm 5 minutes away from seeing my sister for the first time after 22 years so I won't be at rehearsal." As we pulled up I wasn't sure if he was going to let me stop the car before he jumped out. She wasn't there! His brother and sister-in-law were and they were waiting for the car to arrive with her in it and then she came. Talkin' about a perfect picture of Luke 15, "The Prodigal". She invited us in to her very small apartment and after many hugs, stares, and tears she pulled out the portable keyboard. Rick was glued to her and they couldn't talk fast enough about their days together putting chords together and changing words to certain songs. She said that she had been working on an old song called, "Daystar Shine Down on Me". Rick and I had just sung that song two weeks ago at church in our Gospel venue. God was preparing us then to break out in harmony with his sister who returned home. We sat there in amazement as we stared at one another, watching and listening as Linda played. I had only heard of her talent and now I was singing alto with the one and only. Tears fell down our faces as we tried to sing the best we could. After that song we began singing, "The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me" and "I Won't Have to Worry Anymore". Can you imagine?!!!
Larry and Jeannie left us and said they would return in about 30 minutes. We continued to sing, talk and laugh together and then the knock came to the door. Rick's mother who is now 85 years old, walked in on what she's waited many years for. Larry had gone to get her to reunite her with her daughter, her "sweet Linda". I stand amazed at this miracle!!
The night lasted quiet a while and we all had gone over to Larry's house where other family members came to see and the phone never stopped ringing. For years we have prayed and for years we'll rejoice that our God prevailed!!
Another lesson in perseverance that paid off!
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