When I asked God-
"What do I do when it is hard for me to stand?"
God said -
"My Child, just stay on your knees, and I will lift you up."
- Ephesians 6:18
Oh wow...how very appropriate this one was for me today. It has been quite awhile since last I posted something on my blog. But felt so very led to get back to it today. And I say this because, this past week has been one trying week. So as I looked at the Childlike Expression for today, I just had to sit here and smile, cause as I said, how very appropriate this one is.
I am feeling right now, that it is "hard to stand", and not knowing how to proceed on. This past week my life has been (I feel) almost shattered with some life changing news. Praises and prayer requests all rolled into one. I finally got a call from the lawyer after two years that my disability court date has been set. Hallelujah! Been a long two and almost two and a half years. So happy that it is finally on the burner. Same day...get a call that my sister has been diagnosed with breast cancer! Devastating! For those who know me, I lost my Mama in 2001, to the same disease. Talk about a mind blower. Along with this, checked on a dear sweet friend who had been in the hospital for about a week and a half. Family member I spoke with gave me such encouraging news, that I was elated. The day was truly like I had been on a rollercoaster, an emotional one for sure. Cried myself to sleep for my sister, gave thanks and praise for the appointment, and thanked the Lord for giving my friend a good day! Just a little over 24 hrs. later, things changed. I went to see my friend in the hospital, cause I was preparing to go out of town over the weekend and wanted to see her and share in her improving health situation. Upon arriving at the hospital, was met by a family member who informed me that her status had changed and she was now on the Hospice Unit! (her room had been changed that same day). Needless to say, I was in total shock. I was taken back to see her. I spent several minutes alone with her in her room. I was suddenly faced with the fact, that I was probably here to say good-bye! Bending down close to her, I rubbed her forehead and touched her cheek. She looked up at me and said my name. Of course, me being the blubbering kind, was already in tears. She just looked at me and gave me that special grin of hers. I drew up close so we could talk. I told her I loved her and how very special she was to me. She then said to me, "Thank You." And I replied, "for what?" "For being my friend," she said. With the tears really flowing now, I said, "Oh, Candy, I wouldn't have had it any other way." "I love you!" She was so very weak, but she found the strengh to ask me a question that will stay with me forever. She said, "Yana, will you pray for me?" Grasping her hand in mine, I said, "Yes, I will pray for you. Is there anything specific you want me to pray for?" She closed her eyes for a few seconds, and then opened them and looked straight into mine and said, "I want to meet Jesus!" I thought my heart would come right out of my chest as I said to her, "I know you do Candy, you are tired, and I know you are ready." "But please know, I am gonna miss you!" Right at that moment another lady from our church entered the room and I told her that she was there and that together we would pray for her. And we did just that. Before leaving the room, I once again was holding her hand and stroking her cheek, telling her how much I loved her. I leaned over and kissed her on her forehead and said, "I'll see ya later, okay?" She grinned and nodded at me, one last time. I left the room very distraught and spoke with the family member for several minutes before leaving to go home. I was then informed that the doctors didn't expect her to make it through the weekend. The next day, my friend got to meet Jesus! Hallelujah! As for me, my heart is heavy. These last few days have been almost like a blur. Trying to process it all. Memories flood my mind of our times together. The memory that is standing out the most right now, is the one of that last "favor" she asked of me. I feel so very humbled that the Lord chose me, to be the one she needed at that time in her life. And honored too, that she knew she could ask that of me. My tears have yet to cease, but will over time. My memories of her, NEVER!
So when I say that this expression was so appropriate, once again, I am in awe of the Father and how He knows just exactly what we need. He knows how much I needed to remember that and to replay it all in my mind and find HIM in it all. And oh, yes! HE has been there right in the middle of it all. So for now, that is exactly what I intend to do, stay on my knees and let HIM lift me up.
As another friend told me just today, "you've got a lot on your plate right now, and I am praying for you." You know, she is so right. But too, we both know that our Lord is still in control and get me through these trying times, HE WILL! Right now, I am having some trouble standing, so I think I am going to just snuggle up a little closer to the Father, and find my comfort there, right in His arms!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
When I fall...
When I asked God -
"What happens if I fall along the way?"
God said -
"My Child, I will always be there to pick you up and tend your wounds."
- Jude 1:24
Simple answer, but so awesome in thought. We all know that as we walk this journey with our Lord, we are all going to have those times when we fall along the way. Either we lose our way for a bit, or we take a wrong turn, (to put it in this context), or we just stumble. Our peace is in the fact that we know He is there to always pick us up. No matter the reason, no matter the cause. All we gotta do is call on Him, and He is there. Isn't that an awesome thought? Do you really think of it like that? Or do you just take it for granted? I think we all at times, take it for granted. Do we DAILY remember His sacrifice? Do we keep it utmost in our minds, how He suffered for our cause? As I think about the times I have fell along the way, or stumbled, I am saddened. Because I don't keep it as my main focus, is why I know, that I fall. His Word says that if we keep Him the focus, we won't fall into these traps. We will know our way and it will be made clear. So then, why do we fall? Because we take our eyes off the prize, Jesus Christ! We get caught up in the ways of the world, or it becomes all about me! We forget, that we were made to glorify Him! I heard my pastor say this morning, that we "were created for another world." Wow...think on that one for just a minute. Really makes you think, right? His sermon was on how we are to seek after righteousness. Our Sunday School lesson was on the same track with how we are to live holy lives. We are to be holy, because He is holy. That is what he commands of us (Lev. 19:2)to live holy lives. And I think when we strive to do this, we will stumble and fall, less and less. But as we do this, we have the reassurance that He will be there each and every time, to pick us up and, as the expression goes, "tend our wounds." I know in my own life, He has never let me down, or never forsaken me. He always gives me exactly what I need, not want, but need! I came across a scripture the other day that said, when we earnestly seek God's will for our lives and not our own, we will truly find real contentment. Oh, how true. As I sat in worship service today, I was reminded of what an awesome God we serve.
As I sit here tonight, writing this blog, I am enveloped in this awesomeness. I feel so snug and cuddled beneath His wings. Right where I need to be. Amen? Quite a few days have went by since I last blogged, and for that, I am sorry. Seems lately my time has been pulled in one way or another, and this blogging fell to the bottom of the list. Commitments of every nature, plague me and rally for my time. God gently drew me back to Him through this writing tonight, and I see now why. For He wants to remind me, to keep my focus on HIM! Whether it is through, blogging, praying, witnessing, reading and studying His Word, singing praises, praying with a friend, or whatever the case, but to be "aware" of the focus! For His Word says, "in all things to acknowledge Him!"
Father, thank you for your reminders to me today and may I always keep YOU the focus of my life.
Praying too, that if you don't know Him as your Lord and Savior, that you too, will find that focus for YOUR LIFE!
"What happens if I fall along the way?"
God said -
"My Child, I will always be there to pick you up and tend your wounds."
- Jude 1:24
Simple answer, but so awesome in thought. We all know that as we walk this journey with our Lord, we are all going to have those times when we fall along the way. Either we lose our way for a bit, or we take a wrong turn, (to put it in this context), or we just stumble. Our peace is in the fact that we know He is there to always pick us up. No matter the reason, no matter the cause. All we gotta do is call on Him, and He is there. Isn't that an awesome thought? Do you really think of it like that? Or do you just take it for granted? I think we all at times, take it for granted. Do we DAILY remember His sacrifice? Do we keep it utmost in our minds, how He suffered for our cause? As I think about the times I have fell along the way, or stumbled, I am saddened. Because I don't keep it as my main focus, is why I know, that I fall. His Word says that if we keep Him the focus, we won't fall into these traps. We will know our way and it will be made clear. So then, why do we fall? Because we take our eyes off the prize, Jesus Christ! We get caught up in the ways of the world, or it becomes all about me! We forget, that we were made to glorify Him! I heard my pastor say this morning, that we "were created for another world." Wow...think on that one for just a minute. Really makes you think, right? His sermon was on how we are to seek after righteousness. Our Sunday School lesson was on the same track with how we are to live holy lives. We are to be holy, because He is holy. That is what he commands of us (Lev. 19:2)to live holy lives. And I think when we strive to do this, we will stumble and fall, less and less. But as we do this, we have the reassurance that He will be there each and every time, to pick us up and, as the expression goes, "tend our wounds." I know in my own life, He has never let me down, or never forsaken me. He always gives me exactly what I need, not want, but need! I came across a scripture the other day that said, when we earnestly seek God's will for our lives and not our own, we will truly find real contentment. Oh, how true. As I sat in worship service today, I was reminded of what an awesome God we serve.
As I sit here tonight, writing this blog, I am enveloped in this awesomeness. I feel so snug and cuddled beneath His wings. Right where I need to be. Amen? Quite a few days have went by since I last blogged, and for that, I am sorry. Seems lately my time has been pulled in one way or another, and this blogging fell to the bottom of the list. Commitments of every nature, plague me and rally for my time. God gently drew me back to Him through this writing tonight, and I see now why. For He wants to remind me, to keep my focus on HIM! Whether it is through, blogging, praying, witnessing, reading and studying His Word, singing praises, praying with a friend, or whatever the case, but to be "aware" of the focus! For His Word says, "in all things to acknowledge Him!"
Father, thank you for your reminders to me today and may I always keep YOU the focus of my life.
Praying too, that if you don't know Him as your Lord and Savior, that you too, will find that focus for YOUR LIFE!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Failing the tests?
When I asked God -
"Why do I always seem to fail your tests?"
God said -
"It's because you are not doing your homework...Study My Book!"
- Psalm 119:11
Wow...that kinda says it all, right? It is so true. How are we to know what we are to do and how to do it, if we never study His Word? So many people say, "Why do I need to go to church, I can worship God anywhere." And yes, that is true, you can. But His Word says we are to fellowship together and for lots of reasons but one main one is so that we can study His Word and get to know Him. We study it and we look at it and discuss how and what God is trying to say to each of us through it. I know from my own experience, I truly grow more and more when I am in His Word on a daily basis. Not just on Sunday morning in Sunday School and in worship service. And yes, I certainly grow from those times too, but there is just something about being in a class where there are other Christians and sharing and discussing His Word. I draw so much insight from others and I feel that I can share about things that are going on in my own life and I get encouragement when needed. I learn that all of us have our ups and our down times and we are all in need of God and His Amazing Grace in our lives. It strengthens us as a whole and also as an individual. We grow closer in our walk with the Father. It is just like this childlike question asked, failing a test. When we were in school, to pass the test, we had to study. We had to KNOW the subject, right? Well, it is the same here. God wants us to KNOW HIM! In every way. Are you studying the book?
"Why do I always seem to fail your tests?"
God said -
"It's because you are not doing your homework...Study My Book!"
- Psalm 119:11
Wow...that kinda says it all, right? It is so true. How are we to know what we are to do and how to do it, if we never study His Word? So many people say, "Why do I need to go to church, I can worship God anywhere." And yes, that is true, you can. But His Word says we are to fellowship together and for lots of reasons but one main one is so that we can study His Word and get to know Him. We study it and we look at it and discuss how and what God is trying to say to each of us through it. I know from my own experience, I truly grow more and more when I am in His Word on a daily basis. Not just on Sunday morning in Sunday School and in worship service. And yes, I certainly grow from those times too, but there is just something about being in a class where there are other Christians and sharing and discussing His Word. I draw so much insight from others and I feel that I can share about things that are going on in my own life and I get encouragement when needed. I learn that all of us have our ups and our down times and we are all in need of God and His Amazing Grace in our lives. It strengthens us as a whole and also as an individual. We grow closer in our walk with the Father. It is just like this childlike question asked, failing a test. When we were in school, to pass the test, we had to study. We had to KNOW the subject, right? Well, it is the same here. God wants us to KNOW HIM! In every way. Are you studying the book?
Saturday, April 17, 2010
#6-child-like expressions
When I asked God -
"How do I know that you are leading me down the right road?"
God said -
"Because My Child...I will never ask you to go anywhere that I cannot lead you."
- Psalm 27:11
How many times have you taken a road and not really fully known where you are going? Been there myself many times. You find yourself looking for signs to show you where to go next or how to turn around and get yourself back on the right road. Maybe it is a new location that you have never been in or around. Those are the worst. Today we have all kinds of spruced up technology designed to help us get to and from. But for the Christian, we have always had the information right at our fingertips. But the question is, do we use it? Do we rely on it? God's Word was given to us for just that reason. To be a roadmap for our lives. And when we question the things of our life, such as His leading down the right road, we have only to open His Word and search the scriptures and there we will find our answers. He promises to never take us or lead us anywhere that He himself has not already walked ahead of us and prepared the way. There will for certain be times where we cannot see what lies ahead, but we need only to cling to His Word that He is already there. There are times when this is hard to do. Our faith is strengthened even more in those times. For it is then when we learn to fully rely on HIM! Those are our times of growth. When we look back we then see it, and are stronger for it.
"How do I know that you are leading me down the right road?"
God said -
"Because My Child...I will never ask you to go anywhere that I cannot lead you."
- Psalm 27:11
How many times have you taken a road and not really fully known where you are going? Been there myself many times. You find yourself looking for signs to show you where to go next or how to turn around and get yourself back on the right road. Maybe it is a new location that you have never been in or around. Those are the worst. Today we have all kinds of spruced up technology designed to help us get to and from. But for the Christian, we have always had the information right at our fingertips. But the question is, do we use it? Do we rely on it? God's Word was given to us for just that reason. To be a roadmap for our lives. And when we question the things of our life, such as His leading down the right road, we have only to open His Word and search the scriptures and there we will find our answers. He promises to never take us or lead us anywhere that He himself has not already walked ahead of us and prepared the way. There will for certain be times where we cannot see what lies ahead, but we need only to cling to His Word that He is already there. There are times when this is hard to do. Our faith is strengthened even more in those times. For it is then when we learn to fully rely on HIM! Those are our times of growth. When we look back we then see it, and are stronger for it.
#5, child-like expressions
When I asked God -
"Does darkness ever come to heaven?"
God said -
"Oh no, My Child...the "son" is forever shining!"
- Isaiah 60:19
The "Son" is forever shining! Wow...what an awesome thought. To be where there is never any darkness. Can you just imagine that? I know with our human minds it is hard to conceive that image or thought in our minds. But His Word says that, God will be our glory, His light will always be there shining on us. Heaven will be so glorious, we won't be wanting or needing for anything. As the song says, "I can only imagine!" And even then, I don't think that my mind can fully wrap itself around a thought of that magnitude. One of the things I do know, is that I want that! I want that knowledge and feeling of all that heaven has to offer. And by living for the "Son" while here in this world, I am promised that. Do you live for Him? Are you assured that you too will be in heaven one day? If you aren't, do you know that you can be assured? His Word says this in 1 John 5:13: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may KNOW that you have eternal life. Come to the fountain and fully know Him today...He is waiting!
"Does darkness ever come to heaven?"
God said -
"Oh no, My Child...the "son" is forever shining!"
- Isaiah 60:19
The "Son" is forever shining! Wow...what an awesome thought. To be where there is never any darkness. Can you just imagine that? I know with our human minds it is hard to conceive that image or thought in our minds. But His Word says that, God will be our glory, His light will always be there shining on us. Heaven will be so glorious, we won't be wanting or needing for anything. As the song says, "I can only imagine!" And even then, I don't think that my mind can fully wrap itself around a thought of that magnitude. One of the things I do know, is that I want that! I want that knowledge and feeling of all that heaven has to offer. And by living for the "Son" while here in this world, I am promised that. Do you live for Him? Are you assured that you too will be in heaven one day? If you aren't, do you know that you can be assured? His Word says this in 1 John 5:13: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may KNOW that you have eternal life. Come to the fountain and fully know Him today...He is waiting!
Friday, April 9, 2010
#4- curvy roads
When I asked God ~
"Why does my road always seem to have so many curves?"
God said ~
"It's because you are not on the right road, My Child!"
- Proverbs 16:17
Wow...this one was a profound one. Hearing God tell me that the answer to my question was because I wasn't on the right road. So that led me to searching what road I was supposed to be on to truly be in His Will. And you know, it did answer that question. About so many curves. Cause when we are not on the right road that God has planned out for us, we do have a lot of curves and those curves are ones that we could avoid by just staying in His Will. And man oh man, does it ever, take us a lonnnnggggg time to get that right. And then again, do we ever, get it right? I think we do at times, and then at other times, we stray off our road. And it is in those times that He leads us back to where we were supposed to be all the time. So why do you think we stray to begin with? Maybe it is our lack of faith sometime that does it, or maybe we just aren't trusting like we should. You know trusting what is up ahead and not being able to see it, is really a hard thing to do. But the more and the more we do it, the more and the more, it comes natural for us to do it. I think there are bends and turns in all of our roads, but it's the "curves" that can throw us off track. We must always keep our focus, and that is to keep our eyes on the One who has our road in His hands. He is the one who has designed it for us anyway, so why do we balk at it? Let's get out of that "me" mode, or the "I can do it myself" mode, and start leaning and trusting on Him to lead us down the right road. He will never lead us astray.
"Why does my road always seem to have so many curves?"
God said ~
"It's because you are not on the right road, My Child!"
- Proverbs 16:17
Wow...this one was a profound one. Hearing God tell me that the answer to my question was because I wasn't on the right road. So that led me to searching what road I was supposed to be on to truly be in His Will. And you know, it did answer that question. About so many curves. Cause when we are not on the right road that God has planned out for us, we do have a lot of curves and those curves are ones that we could avoid by just staying in His Will. And man oh man, does it ever, take us a lonnnnggggg time to get that right. And then again, do we ever, get it right? I think we do at times, and then at other times, we stray off our road. And it is in those times that He leads us back to where we were supposed to be all the time. So why do you think we stray to begin with? Maybe it is our lack of faith sometime that does it, or maybe we just aren't trusting like we should. You know trusting what is up ahead and not being able to see it, is really a hard thing to do. But the more and the more we do it, the more and the more, it comes natural for us to do it. I think there are bends and turns in all of our roads, but it's the "curves" that can throw us off track. We must always keep our focus, and that is to keep our eyes on the One who has our road in His hands. He is the one who has designed it for us anyway, so why do we balk at it? Let's get out of that "me" mode, or the "I can do it myself" mode, and start leaning and trusting on Him to lead us down the right road. He will never lead us astray.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Child-like Expressions #3
When I asked God ~
"How much time do you have to spend with me?"
God said ~
"For you, My Child...I have eternity !"
- John 3:16
Eternity...wow...that is an awful long time, isn't it? Just stop and think about it. How long that is. More than years, and more than a decade, even longer.....! Wow...it truly blows my mind when I think of how long that really is. And to think that He has it all prepared just for me! Amazing. What a love! What a savior! For us to even imagine that, I think is just too much. For the word says that His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. So I really don't think we can even comprehend it, with our little small minds, being as they are. But thinking about it makes me feel such a peace inside. A peace that the word says, passes all understanding. And I think that is how it is going to be, we cannot totally understand it yet, but one day we will. And then we will all be singing "Hallelujah!" And time, I don't even think that time is going to be an issue either. We won't even think about it. We will just be glorying in the King and all He has for us there in eternity. Oh, and let's don't forget, that all of our loved ones who have went on to be with Him, we will NEVER be parted again from them. Oh, such an amazing love, that went and done such a thing for one such as I. Words alone can never express the gratitude and thankfulness I have for Him. Only by living my life for Him and serving Him can I ever feel worthy just to be in His presence. As the song says, I can only Imagine, what it will be like!!!! Oh, what a day!!!!!
"How much time do you have to spend with me?"
God said ~
"For you, My Child...I have eternity !"
- John 3:16
Eternity...wow...that is an awful long time, isn't it? Just stop and think about it. How long that is. More than years, and more than a decade, even longer.....! Wow...it truly blows my mind when I think of how long that really is. And to think that He has it all prepared just for me! Amazing. What a love! What a savior! For us to even imagine that, I think is just too much. For the word says that His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. So I really don't think we can even comprehend it, with our little small minds, being as they are. But thinking about it makes me feel such a peace inside. A peace that the word says, passes all understanding. And I think that is how it is going to be, we cannot totally understand it yet, but one day we will. And then we will all be singing "Hallelujah!" And time, I don't even think that time is going to be an issue either. We won't even think about it. We will just be glorying in the King and all He has for us there in eternity. Oh, and let's don't forget, that all of our loved ones who have went on to be with Him, we will NEVER be parted again from them. Oh, such an amazing love, that went and done such a thing for one such as I. Words alone can never express the gratitude and thankfulness I have for Him. Only by living my life for Him and serving Him can I ever feel worthy just to be in His presence. As the song says, I can only Imagine, what it will be like!!!! Oh, what a day!!!!!
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