Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:2 NIV
"How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God..." we sang together in a small chapel. My mother's heart was proud as I had entered in and saw my daughter singing praises to the Lord. I had come to pick her up and bring her home, but she was into worshiping the Lord. So I stayed and soon I found myself joining in.
This small chapel is really something special. It is a very small building, not bigger than a shed. That's because it was a shed, and building where junk was thrown to be retrieved at a later date. We know how that goes, soon there is so much stuff in there no one wants to even attempt removing anything. It's much easier to shut the door and forget about it.
Someone though had a vision, a change in this building's appearance. He began to clean out the junk. Once that was gone, he constructed a wooden ceiling. He added stain glass windows and an altar area. He constructed pews and added a hardwood laminate floor. So now at this camp there could be a place to pray and worship God.
This is exactly what we were doing this past Saturday night. It didn't matter the size. Our voices blended together and we sang praises to our creator. There weren't many of us, only nine but it didn't matter. This little shed had really turned into something beautiful.
The Lord can do the same with each of us. We may have filled our heart with junk; so much stuff that we don't even know where to begin. It's become easier to just add to the pile or shut the door and forget about it. Jesus though can come in and clear away the junk the stuff we don't even want to touch again. He can make our hearts pure again, he can clean up the debris. Put in new desires and make us someone beautiful.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Love Can Be Tough
Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. Proverbs 10:4 NIV
"Lord, I just don't know what to do anymore. I've encouraged, I've left him alone, I've waited and waited, but he keeps wasting his days. He's your child, I leave him at your feet. Please do with him what you will. Amen"
A few weeks ago I prayed this prayer. Our mechanical son is now finished with tech school, and now came the time for him to get a job. He had the opportunity at one place, but he blew it because he didn't follow up. He's been waiting for them to come begging him to work for them-not gonna happen.
Now another opportunity was at his doorstep. I wasn't going to sit back and watch him blow it again. I prompted him to call back, or at least e-mail the person who interviewed him. After some resistance he did send an e-mail. Now for him to call. In his normal fashion he put it off.
So after more praying, it was time to get drastic. No call, no phone. The next day I took his most prized possession-his cell phone. After all I'm paying for it-at least until the contract runs out. I tried shutting it off, somehow though he was still able to use it for the Internet. So it was time to take it.
He was not pleased with this new event. He sulked and got madder, but still didn't do the couple things I asked of him. Finally, he apologized and did one of the things. "Son, I just want you to be the man of God you were created to be. It's time to grow up and get the job." I explained.
The day after the call he had his second interview. The following Monday he went for drug testing, and a week later he was employed. It wasn't easy. I want to treat him like the man he is, but it's hard when he was being lazy. Now his hands can earn him wealth.
"Lord, I just don't know what to do anymore. I've encouraged, I've left him alone, I've waited and waited, but he keeps wasting his days. He's your child, I leave him at your feet. Please do with him what you will. Amen"
A few weeks ago I prayed this prayer. Our mechanical son is now finished with tech school, and now came the time for him to get a job. He had the opportunity at one place, but he blew it because he didn't follow up. He's been waiting for them to come begging him to work for them-not gonna happen.
Now another opportunity was at his doorstep. I wasn't going to sit back and watch him blow it again. I prompted him to call back, or at least e-mail the person who interviewed him. After some resistance he did send an e-mail. Now for him to call. In his normal fashion he put it off.
So after more praying, it was time to get drastic. No call, no phone. The next day I took his most prized possession-his cell phone. After all I'm paying for it-at least until the contract runs out. I tried shutting it off, somehow though he was still able to use it for the Internet. So it was time to take it.
He was not pleased with this new event. He sulked and got madder, but still didn't do the couple things I asked of him. Finally, he apologized and did one of the things. "Son, I just want you to be the man of God you were created to be. It's time to grow up and get the job." I explained.
The day after the call he had his second interview. The following Monday he went for drug testing, and a week later he was employed. It wasn't easy. I want to treat him like the man he is, but it's hard when he was being lazy. Now his hands can earn him wealth.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
An Eagle Soars
An eagle can soar at speeds up to 43 mph. It glides through the sky, soaring at the top of the food chain. An eagle is brave and strong. It is the national bird for the United States, a symbol of strength and long life. Not a bad choice.
It is also use for the highest rank it Boy Scouting-an Eagle Scout. Becoming an Eagle Scout is not an easy task, but one that is an honor to those who achieve it.
I have had the honor of being a mother of not just one, but two Eagle Scouts. To achieve this a boy must be in scouting for several years as he goes through the different ranks. He must have been a leader and shown responsibility during his Eagle Scout Project.
This project must somehow benefit the community. He must have put in countless hours of planning, approval, working, and completing paper work. He must also recruit volunteers to help him accomplish this project; along with raising the funds to complete this project.
Scouting is a great program for boys to become men. Sure they goof off at times, sure they pull pranks on each other; but there is a bonding of friendships that goes deep. They will look back at their time in scouting and remember it as an experience they won't forget. Why do you think fathers encourage their sons to become a scout?
Not only is this a great experience for them, but is a benefit to us. Most of our political leaders are Eagle Scouts or have been in scouting. Quite a few astronauts as well. Some of our military leaders are Eagle Scouts as well; helping them to serve this great country of ours.
They soar on wings of eagles, they are not afraid to run or grow weary...
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
How Much Help Do We Give?
For even when we were with you, we gave this rule: 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat.' We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 NIV
The urge to help runs deep in some of us. We see the person at the corner and we want to help, but is it the right thing? Are we truly helping this person or is he/she taking advantage? For me it doesn't feel right giving them money. I'd like to have a manna bag( a bag with water, a granola bar, hygiene items) to hand out, but I haven't taken the time to make any.
Someone in our family needs help and we want to run to his/her rescue, but how many times do we do this. When can the problem be solved by himself or herself. It's tough to see our child go through something tough, but that experience maybe what he/she needs in order to trust in the Lord.
So how do we know when we should help, and when we should let the circumstance solve itself without our involvement? Tough question.
There are times when we need to come along someone and help them. An illness, a death in the family, a job loss, but how do we know when we're being taken advantage of? I guess it comes down to when you begin to feel drained because the person your helping isn't even trying to work things out then it might be time to cut off the help. He/She has begun to depend on you more than the Lord.
At our church we had a food pantry. The idea was good: to help people who couldn't get through the week without food. The problem began though when the people who came began to depend on the free food and spend their money on things that were not a necessity. They learn how to cheat the system. The people who were running it somehow began to leave God out and were giving themselves the glory. Unfortunately, this food pantry had to close its doors. They became busybodies instead of earning the bread they ate.
We must not give up helping people, we just need to remember to let them earn the bread they eat.
The urge to help runs deep in some of us. We see the person at the corner and we want to help, but is it the right thing? Are we truly helping this person or is he/she taking advantage? For me it doesn't feel right giving them money. I'd like to have a manna bag( a bag with water, a granola bar, hygiene items) to hand out, but I haven't taken the time to make any.
Someone in our family needs help and we want to run to his/her rescue, but how many times do we do this. When can the problem be solved by himself or herself. It's tough to see our child go through something tough, but that experience maybe what he/she needs in order to trust in the Lord.
So how do we know when we should help, and when we should let the circumstance solve itself without our involvement? Tough question.
There are times when we need to come along someone and help them. An illness, a death in the family, a job loss, but how do we know when we're being taken advantage of? I guess it comes down to when you begin to feel drained because the person your helping isn't even trying to work things out then it might be time to cut off the help. He/She has begun to depend on you more than the Lord.
At our church we had a food pantry. The idea was good: to help people who couldn't get through the week without food. The problem began though when the people who came began to depend on the free food and spend their money on things that were not a necessity. They learn how to cheat the system. The people who were running it somehow began to leave God out and were giving themselves the glory. Unfortunately, this food pantry had to close its doors. They became busybodies instead of earning the bread they ate.
We must not give up helping people, we just need to remember to let them earn the bread they eat.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The Answer
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:8 NIV
How long does it usually take before you realize you've been given an answer to a prayer? This time for me it was thirteen hours. I wonder how many other answers I've missed?
God tells us to ask, all we have to do is ask. So a couple of weeks ago I asked. I finished a Christian fiction book awhile ago, and since then been trying to figure out to do with it.
I've joined a writer's group and have learned a lot. One of the things I learned was to get it professionally edited. Another thing is a publisher probably won't do anything with it unless I've made a name for myself. So after a lesson on how to make the story into an e-book, I believe this is the way to go.
So this has been in my mind for almost a year now, the thing holding me back is the professional editing. Now to be professionally edited cost money. There never seems to be any extra money for me to be able to do this.
Two weeks ago I finally surrendered to God, if this is his will for me then he's going to need to provide us with the extra money. Simple enough.
So one day last week, we get our mortgage yearly statement. The one where they tell you the new payment schedule. This usually comes with an increase to our payment. This time though something was different-a check was attached. We paid more into our escrow account then needed, so we got a refund.
I about passed out, I mean we never get money back from the mortgage company. Maybe one other time in our twenty-one plus years of having a mortgage. I excitedly showed my husband. We thought about the things to do with it-finish January's bills, put it back into savings.
Never once did I remember my prayer. That was until the Lord hit me over the head in the shower. He kindly reminded me of my prayer! I even checked back in my journal, and recalled the day I asked. This obviously why we received the money.
I wonder how many other times I've missed an answer to my prayers. God's blessings are around, and He does give them. I just need to pay attention.
How long does it usually take before you realize you've been given an answer to a prayer? This time for me it was thirteen hours. I wonder how many other answers I've missed?
God tells us to ask, all we have to do is ask. So a couple of weeks ago I asked. I finished a Christian fiction book awhile ago, and since then been trying to figure out to do with it.
I've joined a writer's group and have learned a lot. One of the things I learned was to get it professionally edited. Another thing is a publisher probably won't do anything with it unless I've made a name for myself. So after a lesson on how to make the story into an e-book, I believe this is the way to go.
So this has been in my mind for almost a year now, the thing holding me back is the professional editing. Now to be professionally edited cost money. There never seems to be any extra money for me to be able to do this.
Two weeks ago I finally surrendered to God, if this is his will for me then he's going to need to provide us with the extra money. Simple enough.
So one day last week, we get our mortgage yearly statement. The one where they tell you the new payment schedule. This usually comes with an increase to our payment. This time though something was different-a check was attached. We paid more into our escrow account then needed, so we got a refund.
I about passed out, I mean we never get money back from the mortgage company. Maybe one other time in our twenty-one plus years of having a mortgage. I excitedly showed my husband. We thought about the things to do with it-finish January's bills, put it back into savings.
Never once did I remember my prayer. That was until the Lord hit me over the head in the shower. He kindly reminded me of my prayer! I even checked back in my journal, and recalled the day I asked. This obviously why we received the money.
I wonder how many other times I've missed an answer to my prayers. God's blessings are around, and He does give them. I just need to pay attention.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
To Each His Own
But are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 NIV
Different houses, different cars, different needs...same God.
As we were driving to church I noticed different homes. A Spanish style, a Colonial style, country style, and even a simple style. Then I thought about the people who live in them-how different each one's life is and how really close one's life may be to mine.
This thought as occurred to me before when noticing the different cars sitting in traffic. We were all at the same traffic light, and yet headed in different directions. Some might have been thinking about arriving home, others about the meeting they may have been heading too. Different thoughts yet, so much alike.
Another time I've thought about other people's lives is while standing in line at the grocery store. It's amazing how different yet the same the food we by is. A loaf of bread, bananas, milk or TV dinners, noodles, soda...all of it making sense to the one buying it.
So how different are we really? Sure we each face our own set of problems: a death in the family, an illness, sickness, a raise, newlyweds, a new baby. Each going through life, each facing the days, each set of circumstances. Some are able to face it better than others, some hide from it.
I'm not sure how people can make it through the events in life without God. There are tough things I go through and without God's strength I know I couldn't make it. We each are chosen, He wants us all to come to Him, He wants to bring light into your life...let Him.
Different houses, different cars, different needs...same God.
As we were driving to church I noticed different homes. A Spanish style, a Colonial style, country style, and even a simple style. Then I thought about the people who live in them-how different each one's life is and how really close one's life may be to mine.
This thought as occurred to me before when noticing the different cars sitting in traffic. We were all at the same traffic light, and yet headed in different directions. Some might have been thinking about arriving home, others about the meeting they may have been heading too. Different thoughts yet, so much alike.
Another time I've thought about other people's lives is while standing in line at the grocery store. It's amazing how different yet the same the food we by is. A loaf of bread, bananas, milk or TV dinners, noodles, soda...all of it making sense to the one buying it.
So how different are we really? Sure we each face our own set of problems: a death in the family, an illness, sickness, a raise, newlyweds, a new baby. Each going through life, each facing the days, each set of circumstances. Some are able to face it better than others, some hide from it.
I'm not sure how people can make it through the events in life without God. There are tough things I go through and without God's strength I know I couldn't make it. We each are chosen, He wants us all to come to Him, He wants to bring light into your life...let Him.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
My Answered Prayer
Ask and it will be given unto you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened unto you." Matthew 7:7 NIV
Hard to believe it's been that long, but it has. Sixteen years ago I received an answer to my prayer. A prayer I had been praying for almost three years.
The asking was the easy part. The seeking and growing came later. Funny, as I look back at receiving this answer to prayer it was a blessing during one of the darkest times of my life.
I had stopped paying the mortgage, after robbing Peter to pay Paul, the money did indeed run out. My finances were in an utter mess. In fact, I really didn't know how much longer we would even have a place to live. Some days I didn't even know what we were going to eat.
This day though sixteen years ago, brought me hope. It was a time when I knew God loved me and he cared. He gave us a beautiful baby girl, quite a blessing after two boys. Deep down I knew God had given us a daughter, it was just nice to know it was confirmed.
He taught me things during my pregnancy that helped me to fall on my knees to him when the day came when we were served with papers. Papers that said our home was going to be foreclosed on.
One lesson I remember well was the day we were going to have an ultrasound. I never had one with my other pregnancies and thought it'd be nice to have one with this one. Maybe God answered my prayer. Instead at our ultrasound, our little baby didn't cooperate. She wouldn't let anyone see she was a girl. God said. "Diana, you know I answered your prayer trust in your instincts."
Soon after our daughter's birth, I surrendered all to God. He has answered many prayers since. Sometimes with a "yes' and sometimes with a "no." He saved our home, but mostly he saved me and has blessed me with even more than I could ask for.
Hard to believe it's been that long, but it has. Sixteen years ago I received an answer to my prayer. A prayer I had been praying for almost three years.
The asking was the easy part. The seeking and growing came later. Funny, as I look back at receiving this answer to prayer it was a blessing during one of the darkest times of my life.
I had stopped paying the mortgage, after robbing Peter to pay Paul, the money did indeed run out. My finances were in an utter mess. In fact, I really didn't know how much longer we would even have a place to live. Some days I didn't even know what we were going to eat.
This day though sixteen years ago, brought me hope. It was a time when I knew God loved me and he cared. He gave us a beautiful baby girl, quite a blessing after two boys. Deep down I knew God had given us a daughter, it was just nice to know it was confirmed.
He taught me things during my pregnancy that helped me to fall on my knees to him when the day came when we were served with papers. Papers that said our home was going to be foreclosed on.
One lesson I remember well was the day we were going to have an ultrasound. I never had one with my other pregnancies and thought it'd be nice to have one with this one. Maybe God answered my prayer. Instead at our ultrasound, our little baby didn't cooperate. She wouldn't let anyone see she was a girl. God said. "Diana, you know I answered your prayer trust in your instincts."
Soon after our daughter's birth, I surrendered all to God. He has answered many prayers since. Sometimes with a "yes' and sometimes with a "no." He saved our home, but mostly he saved me and has blessed me with even more than I could ask for.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)