Tomorrow I am teaching a lesson on Lazarus. John 11 is one of the most encouraging chapters in the Bible. Mary and Martha send a messenger to get Jesus to come to their home and heal their brother Lazarus who is sick. “Lord, the one you love is sick.” We should all pray this way remembering God’s love for those in our lives who are not healthy. Jesus responded specifically. Unlike myself, as a mother I tend to say…”Oh, you’ll be alright. I’ll be there in a little while.” Jesus promised, “This will not end in death. It is for God’s glory.” Jesus did not leave right away to go heal Lazarus. As a matter of fact, Lazarus had been dead four days before Jesus arrived. What do you do when God’s love lingers? Cling to what you know to be true about His character. His delays are to work your good for His glory. Keep looking for Him to show up…He will in His perfect time. In the meantime, focus on His love and His glory.
Sacrifice of Love
March 26, 2008 at 11:56 pm (Daily Journal Entry, Journal Survey, Prayer, Prayer Survey, Uncategorized)
During the week before Easter, I encourage you to read passages concerning the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. In our busy lives, it is easy to lose focus and forget the gospel. After being mocked, flogged and terribly punished by crucifixion, Jesus in the height of His suffering bearing the weight of all our sin, separate from His father, prays for us. In weakness of breath, Jesus prays, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” This tender prayer from the depth of Jesus’ heart was the again the perfect sacrifice of love.
After Jesus resurrection, He now sits at the right hand of God and “He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” (Heb 7:25) What a comfort to know we are covered by His blood and His prayers. Rejoice this Easter for Jesus’ sacrifice of love.
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
March 13, 2008 at 9:04 pm (Daily Journal Entry)
Life is full of decisions. But I have found the writing arena is constantly full of decisions! Choices can be seemingly small like what word to use in a sentence, yet have a huge impact on the meaning I am trying to communicate; decisions on whether the journal should be spiral bound and cost efficient or whether it should be in a notebook style with refill pages. Most importantly, I am trying to discern whether to self publish or pursue further a big house publisher.
I find this very humorous, that God would take me into a profession that is an area I struggle with, making decisions! I end up taking so long to decide about a choice because I want to make the best one. Fear is probably at the root of making the wrong choice. I used to sing ”DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS!” to the tune of Fiddler on the Roof substituing the word for…”TRADITIONS!” I keep thinking about how God told David He would give him all the details for rebuilding the temple. In Psalm 32:8 God promises, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you and watch over you.” He will guide me in the maize of choices, but am I listening and seeking? I am still learning I need to be listening or I am lost without His daily counsel.
God Still Raises the Dead
March 13, 2008 at 9:03 pm (Daily Journal Entry)
Tags: dead, God, sick
Did you know God still resurrects what appears to be dead today? As we focus on Easter, I wanted to share with you a wonderful answer to prayer. Six weeks ago today, during our MOMS group (a ministry at church for mothers of many seasons), a friend of mine received a call that her sister was being air lifted to the hospital in Asheville. My friend shared that her sister was a young mom, but had made a series of poor choices in life and was a drug addict. She was so sick and it seemed death was imminent. She had poison in her blood, infection that was black had to be drained from around her heart, major detoxification needed to take place and she had pneumonia. She needed oxygen until last week.
After the call that morning, we began to pray immediately for my friend and her sister. My friend was a witness to us of unwavering faith and peace during this trial. At any moment she could have lost her sister. I talked to the ladies at MOMS about the story in the Bible of the friends who tried to get the paralytic to Jesus and could not reach Him because of the crowds. They decided to go through the roof. We must do whatever it takes to get people to Jesus. For the next six weeks we charged the throne on her behalf.
Today, my friend announced that miraculously her sister had been discharged from the hospital to go home! We celebrated today at MOMS and my friend sang through her tears of joy and praise a song called Orphans of God. She who was once almost dead is now alive. God is a God of second chances! No sin is too great that HE cannot cover. So, what do you have in your life that needs resurrecting? Nothing is impossible with God. Thank Him for His power and pray with me this young woman believes in Him who heals our diseases and raises the dead.
God Sings Over You
March 9, 2008 at 3:18 pm (Daily Journal Entry)
Tags: Christianity
Do you know that God sings? I had to stop and contemplate this thought. What does God sing about? You and me! Singing was his idea. He created the song, music, the melody of instuments and voice together expressing the heart. Music touches our inner most being doesn’t it?
Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with sining.”
Yesterday morning I heard the most beautiful bird singing with all it’s heart. The amazing thing was it was still dark outside. This little bird had a song to sing. A new day was coming! Wake up everybody! God used this little bird’s song to impress on my heart that God is singing over me…whether I am sleeping or awake. He delights in you and me and He sings over us! Know that you are in God’s heart and thoughts today. He is singing about you!
This is my goal…peace
March 6, 2008 at 1:08 pm (Daily Journal Entry)
Tags: hurriedness, peace, stress
Recently, I have felt like I am rushing to do everything. I am even rushing through my runs. Aren’t workouts to releave stress not cause more? I know I over commit and rarely leave on time to get anywhere. So I am an agent to my own stress. This year I am embracing a new mind set to not be so rushed by planning better and eliminating some things out of my schedule.
Rick Warren in his book the Purpose Driven Life says, “Hurriedness is the death of kindness.” That certainly is the case for me. Hurriedness is the death of peace as well. I have been praying to have peace especially in my new writing career. When I get in the “hurried” mode, immediately the joy of writing is replaced with frustration. Isaiah 32:17 says, “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness is quietness and confidence forever.” The work of righteousness involves listening and doing what God would have me do for today. This is my goal..a peace that results in a quiet confidence in my writing and permeates my life.
Hold on to Instruction
March 3, 2008 at 3:25 pm (Daily Journal Entry)
Good morning to all! I am going to commit to write at least two or three times a week on my blog. Thank you to all those who have taken the time to read my blog and make comments. You have been encouraging and insightful.
During the night do you ever wake up with an idea or thought and then go right back to sleep? Then do you wake up in the morning and have forgotten the thought or idea you had during the night? I have experienced this myself so many times that I have learned to keep a pad and pen handy in my night stand.
Early this morning I woke to the thought, “Go through the right channels.” When I had the thought again the second time I decided to get up and right it down on my pad. I am thinking and praying over what this means. I do believe God instructs us during the night as we sleep. (Psalm 16:7) I believe this is direction for me about publishing my book. I need to seek the right path and people to print this book to the best of my ability for God’s glory. Proverbs 4:10-15 says, “Listen, accept what I say…I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths…Hold on to instruction do not let it go; guard it well for it is your life.” I am not sure what all the “right channels” may encompass, but I am thankful to know God does and will direct my steps.
Today is a writing day. I always look so forward to these days. This month I will be refining the book. I am being encourgaged greatly by my husband to hand it over by Mar. 30th to a publisher. I know in my heart it is time to let it go. I could honestly edit for 10 more years, but I am sensing the fields are ripe for harvest. (Jn 4:34)
