True Reality..........

Thinking, thinking, thoughts, thoughts. It seems as though I am forever in contemplation of some such thing or another. Today, my mind is swirling about some things after having a conversation with a lovely old friend. I think perhaps the spirit within me is trying to bust out again in words.  Words that bring life. 

My friend's sister is suffering from severe pain due to a rare form of lymes disease. Her body is starting to turn on her. It's scary for all involved. She has three small children to boot. She can't sleep well due to the pain she endures, she cannot do simple daily tasks. My heart goes out to her, I simply can't imagine, nor would I want to. I encouraged my friend as best I knew how, by pointing her to Christ and what he accomplished for us all, namely her sister in this time. She felt refreshed, thankfully, and I pray they all rest in Him during this difficult season. 

After this conversation I began to think and ponder yet again what our TRUE reality is. It's like this, do we believe God's truth is ultimate truth? Or do we let what we see and feel in the here and now to dictate truth to us? What if we could live so focused, so in tune, so fixed on the finality of what the cross accomplished that we were never phased by our flesh and by earthly problems? I mean really - what if? Can you imagine how that would dampen the enemies plans? Can you imagine how we would rise above every occasion and live as though we really are seated in heavenly places? 

Then I thought of the verse that goes something like this, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble, we shall not fear for the earth may give way and the mountains crumble into the sea."  So I thought about that verse and thought about how it would be to live as though we are so fixed in Him, so trusting in Him that even when the mountains fall around us, we will not falter in our belief, we will "Be still and know that He is God." 

So I thought of this dear woman as she must feel like her world is crashing around her and that at times must be ALL she can see ( much like my own situations this past week) and I realized how much we all need one another to walk alongside us and remind each other that we are in His safe and capable hands and to speak the truth that sets us free. We are indeed already provided for, already healed, already safe, already righteous, already alive in Him. We are so firmly fixed in the love of God, the vast wide all encompassing love and divine care and protection of our God. We truly can say, I shall not be moved. 

We, so need our brothers and sisters, to hold up our arms, much like Aaron and Hur did for Moses. I am so thankful for you all and for those who would point me to my true reality in Him. I want to be so fixed in that reality, so focused on the REAL TRUTH, that these earthly distractions fade into the distance and vanish from my mind. 

Now I must go and speak life and truth to my son, who is hating the pain he is still enduring. The remnants of the flu are attacking the muscles in his legs. I just heard him moan, "I hate this!"  

We just all need to be comforted time and time again - and HE is our comforter and will never leave us or give up on us, and constantly looks out for us. I just have to let that be my reality constantly!!! I am WHOLE in Him - I have no want or need. He is my all in all. 

Peace to all who may stop by today........................

He restores my soul..............

(Do you ever just want to write a post, but are not sure quite what it will be about? Or that what you write may not have any relevance to anything, but yet you just want to write anyway? That's how I am feeling today, I just want to express myself in some form or fashion, so here goes.) 

After my terrible horrible no good very bad day on Tuesday after an accumulation of trials and difficulties from the previous week, and then on Wednesday finding out my son probably had the swine flu (eh hem, that would be the N1H1 flu/virus - oh whatever), things started to shift in the heavenlies. I won't go into all the details, BUT God's kind hand of provision has faithfully been shown to me yet again. Not once, but twice, as if the first means he brought along wasn't wonderful enough (think financially rescued for a whole month), he met yet a second need. You see I am in a pickle these days, and just yesterday, I had $30 for food to last me and four boys for 10 days. That certainly wasn't going to work. WELL, I am happy to say, God sent a lovely gift to me last night. A knock on the door and a lovely gift card to my favorite local market, Trader Joe's. How perfectly cool was that? Double provision. I was quite tickled I must say. So I found myself saying, bring it on!! Ha ha, when days prior I was laughing at all the calamity in my life, saying bring it on! Hee hee, God is too good like that. He loves to show me that He's got me covered.  More than just covered actually, he has me so that I have not any want. Think about that! I am not in want - if only I could live in that and if only my emotions would let me believe this! 

Much like the psalmist writes in Psalm 23 - I feel as though I have lived in that Psalm this very week. And I now really can see that I have no want in Him. I love that! I was weary this week and He came and showed me the reality of the truth of this very Psalm. 

 ¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

 ² He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

       he leads me beside quiet waters,

 ³ he restores my soul. 

       He guides me in paths of righteousness 

       for his name's sake.

 ⁴ Even though I walk 

       through the valley of the shadow of death, 

       I will fear no evil, 

       for you are with me; 

       your rod and your staff, 

       they comfort me.

 ⁵ You prepare a table before me 

       in the presence of my enemies. 

       You anoint my head with oil; 

       my cup overflows.

 ⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me 

       all the days of my life, 

       and I will dwell in the house of the LORD 

       forever.

It's so cool how the word is like a diamond, and when you look at it again and again you see it in a different light.  Well just this morning I was again thinking about how I have been walking through the valley of the shadow of death, more like a valley with dark clouds all around me and no light coming through. I know I said this before, but I really do take great comfort that I am walking through, and that He is ever with me. It's like I really can face everything that comes my way, I really don't have to fear. I can rest in the midst of the difficulties. I really can. I may grow tired and weary and 'feel' overwhelmed, but know in my spirit I am in wonderful hands no matter what.  

I always used to think of the 'rod' as a implement to inflict pain. However the shepherd's rod is used to protect the sheep, not inflict pain. How does having pain inflicted comfort one?? Anyway, I realized today, as I contemplated this Psalm, and light bulbs came on and a much richer fuller depth of meaning and impact came over me - the rod was used to protect and guide the sheep. The Hebrew word for rod that is used is "shabat." A shabat is specifically the rod used by a shepherd in caring for sheep. The shabat has five common practical uses: 1) it is the symbol of the shepherd's guardianship of the sheep; 2) it can be thrown with great accuracy just beyond the wandering sheep to send the animal scurrying back to the flock; 3) the shabat can be used to ward off an intruder and protect the sheep from any animals which may attack; 4) the sheep are counted as they "pass under the rod;" 5) it is used to part the wool in order to examine the sheep for disease, wounds or defects which may be treated. There is no evidence that the rod is ever used to physically strike the sheep. That lines up with the God I now know. The God of comfort. Yes, that comforts me to know. Okay, so not only is He with me, He is armed and ready to protect me. I love knowing that. Sometimes, I feel so separate from Him in a way I don't know His ways and what He will do. But I am never separated from Him, never! He always goes after His sheep to keep them safe and cared for. 

I also thought about how cool it is, that He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies. I may have opposition in my life in various forms, but He is saying to me, here come and sit and rest and let me serve you a feast. He is not phased one bit by my enemies. 

I know what it is like when he makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters, because truly he has restored my soul time and time again. But listen to the next line,I just can't get over this -  "He leads me in paths of righteousness, for His name's sake."  He leads me!! Just like we know that the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth! Even the psalmist knew this truth and he lived in the O.C.  I just love the theme of this whole psalm!! He initiates, He blesses, He protects, He comforts - He does it all! We have everything!! 

I am grateful for the reminder the Spirit brought to my heart, that I really have goodness and love on my side all the days of my life! I really can trust that my Good Shepherd and Daddy will care for me in every area of my life and abundantly so. I am grateful that he restored my soul today!!!

Reflections in the midst...........

Here I sit in the midst of a lot of muck. I most certainly am not stuck in the muck, for I know I have a Father who will take care of me. Yet I am amidst a plethora of ridiculous circumstances that are trying to consume me. It's as if all of hell is trying to take me down. Not loving that! It's hard not to feel the overwhelmingness of it all, I must admit. Add in PMS, a stolen car, plumbing problems, a loved one deceased and massive financial issues, and much more -  well you get the picture. The worst part of it all is the words and actions of one who relentlessly torments me, all in the name of love. Nice!

Dark massive clouds are looming over me. Yesterday, all I could see were the dark clouds and I felt low and weary. Condemnation was trying to reel me into a place I did not want to be. How dare it try and touch my heart and mind - there is no condemnation for me. NONE! 

But despite the fact that all I see and feel in the natural is trial and challenge, I can still remain in peace. I may not always act on that peace. I have to talk to myself and remind me of who I am and whose I am, and just who it is that is keeping me. Renew my mind and remember how faithful my daddy is and how he has always always delivered me. I may want to despair, or lean on my own understanding, but His spirit within me speaks the soft reminders, "I am carrying you, I am with you, I will prevail, I have good plans for you to prosper you and not to harm you, you are precious to me, you matter immensely and no weapon formed against you will prosper, anyone who takes up a sword against you will have to deal with ME!!" 

He never judges me, or condemns me with His words or His actions. He never points out my faults or makes me feel like I can't come boldly to Him. Nothing will separate me from Him. Our relationship is ROCK SOLID. Thanks to who He is, I can confidently live in a peace that passes all understanding. He guards my life, my heart, my mind, my soul, for I am in Christ and He is in me. My feelings, though they can seem all consuming, do not lead or drive me - it is Christ as my source, my life, my all that guides me safely through this life of difficulty. Yeah though I walk THROUGH  the valley, I shall fear no evil. I take comfort that I am walking through. He is leading me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. He continues to remain faithful even if and when I may want to become despondent and despair and give up. He leads me into ALL TRUTH. I just love that! How refreshingly wonderful it is to have at least one perfect relationship in this life - well at least His side of the relationship will never fail, and I can always depend on Him. ALWAYS!!! Wow! What a relief! And all of this is of Him. Not me or what I do. How good is that? I can seemingly fail, but yet not fail, because I have the perfect righteousness of Christ. That IS love. 

Imagine a  human relationship, where even when you do something to your spouse that is not so great, he says, "I find no fault in you. You are never wrong. You are perfect."  Even if you get good and mad at him, and scream obscenities at him, he will say, "I love you dearly, here come close and let me love on you for awhile." 

My how that softens ones heart. Once I again I am amazed at His great love for me, simply by how He responds to me. Even though my circumstances are still swirling about, I can rest in His arms knowing such peace, such comfort. Truly there is no greater love than this!!! 

My Heart's Song............

Before the sun sets to end another day

That fades into the memory of another yesterday

I want to take this time I have right now

To say that I love you so

The truth that I have finally come to realize

Is that life on this earth is so fragile

Just a vapor in the mist of time's eternalness

And every day with you a gift from God

So with this simple song

Hear the words of love from my heart as I say

I wanna walk this road of life with you

Hand in hand side by side 

I wanna grow old with you

I wanna climb the heights with you

Cross the raging floods with you

I wanna dance this dance of love with you my friend

And though this path that we've travelled on

Has at times been bitter-sweet

I wouldn't change it for anything

I'm still thanking God for giving you to me

And with many more miles to go

Hear the words of my heart's song as I say

I wanna walk this road of life with you

Hand in hand side by side

I wanna grow old with you

I wanna climb the heights with you

Cross the raging floods with you 

I wanna dance this dance of love with you my friend

~ Michelle Bass

Uncle Harry.........

As I ended my evening last night, barely engaged in the Phillies game, a sadness and a peace came over me. I didn't want to go to bed, but knew I must. One last glance at Harry's picture, and sweet face as I prayed silently in my heart for his life one more time. Somehow though I just knew............. 

On awakening this morning my thoughts ran first to him. I wondered if I would hear news today, and if it would be the news I knew I did not want to hear. Then the phone rang, and it was still early. I gathered myself and prepared my heart. It was my mom calling, I didn't need to to know what she would say. Somehow as much as I didn't want to hear those words, I could embrace them solely because I knew he was at peace. Yet my heart felt the grief, the heavy sorrow that comes with a loss like this. And more than my own grief. I felt the weight of the grief of all involved in Harry's precious life. I imagined them all together as he passed on, and oh how my heart broke. To watch a loved one go has got to be one of life's most perplexing experiences. And I began to think of all the challenges that each member has faced and will face, and I couldn't bear the hurt I knew they are carrying. The brokenness. So I wept for them, and I wept for sweet Harry who still had years of life he could have lived. Yet somehow, I bet he is happier now. As I prayed over the picture I have of him, I noticed a sadness in his face. Like he was somewhat empty or tired. Life had had it's course in him. Yet it was a sweet life. A life full of many cherished moments I am sure. He was a strong man. A beautiful person. Full of love. Hugs and laughs. 

Harry was one of those Uncle's you just wanted to be around. He made life fun and interesting. I remember as a child Harry would tickle torture all the nieces and nephews. I mean torture. He would tickle you so bad you'd be crying and begging. "Please!" "Don't!" "Stop!"  Those would be the only words you could utter through screeching laughter pains. He'd say, "Don't stop, okay", and then he go at it all the more intensely. Oh my, such the tease! He was a feisty one! 

He was the kind of uncle who wasn't afraid to be honest and open with you, even if you hadn't seen him in years. He knew things. He asked questions and he loved by so doing. I never felt judged by him, even if he did not understand my choices. 

He was also generous. Generous with his life when he was with you. I remember last year just being with him was so wonderful. He hugged and hugged me so much. He laughed and laughed, but he also felt deeply even amidst his joyful banter, you knew his heart was so big and he carried such a big heart for the people he loved. 

Something interesting about Harry, that I only found out later in life, was that he was briefly a preacher. All my life I had known him to be a truck driver. I wish I could have asked him more about the days when he was a preacher. I can only imagine though now. 

He was not religious or stuffy. I remember when Harry would pray for dinner, he'd pray short and sweet. Thanks God for the grub!! He did not put on airs. He knew it was time to eat, and left the serious praying for other occasions. Ha! I loved that about him!! 

Harry had such life in him. That man went through more surgeries on his heart than anyone I know of. He had to have stint after stint after stint put in his heart - yet somehow, he always came out alive and kicking. 

Recently Joyce and Harry came up our way. They had a high school reunion to go to in Corning, New York. So they flew here and rented a car to go up, but spent some time with us on the way back. I am SO thankful! Though it was brief, I will treasure that time forever. On their last day with us, Harry and Joyce walked into town and visited me at work. As they left, they both hugged me and told me they were praying for me, knowing the challenges I faced in life at the moment. I could tell they truly cared. Harry and I decided we'd like to keep up the rate of seeing each other every year. I guess I will have alot of time to catch up with him when I get to heaven. 

I feel through all of this God is doing big things in me. I am not a cryer typically. Yet these days, tears flow so freely. My tears are not so much for me, they are for everyone else who loved Harry even more than me. For those who were so intricately entangled in his life, day in and day out. My dear sweet aunt. Oh I can't bear to see her left alone. I can only picture them together. There were such a pair. They displayed a genuine love for one another, they held such equity with one another. You could just tell there were no regrets between them. I appreciate that. A union like that is hard to come by. They were blessed. 

So today as I mourn, I think about life. Life. It is so precious! Yet so fleeting. I want so much to make life matter, to cherish all the times with all the people I encounter and all the people I love. So many thoughts tumble about in my mind. So many valuable thoughts on life and it's journey. It's just too huge the implications of one person's life! One person can make such a huge impact on us, and upon the world we are a part of. I want to see the beauty in people all the more. I want to value others and who they are all the more. I want to love freely all the more!!!

To Uncle Harry, may you rest in the peace you have now entered - may you celebrate the race you have run now that the prize is yours!! You are loved and you will be missed, but I know being with Jesus is far greater than anything you have ever known!!!

Just me......

I seem to have the same message in all of my posts - undiluted grace! At least that is my heart. Just Jesus and what He has completed. I realized, I have missed writing more freestyle, like as if in a journal. Just baring my heart, soul and thoughts for whomever may so choose to read. 

I have been processing this life in Christ from the inside out. Learning to live leaning upon Him and letting go more and more. You see my life has been quite a roller coaster ride, as I am sure many of yours, dear readers, have been as well. But, lately, my life has been doing a bit of unraveling of sorts. It's the kind of unraveling you would expect, much like Lazarus needing his grave clothes peeled off. Yet to the naked human eye, it may not seem so pretty. I suspect, Lazarus was no sight to behold - yet Jesus spoke the word and his life was revived, made new. 

So as I walk through this season of coming out of the grave, shall we say, and more into the resurrection life I now possess - I find myself adjusting to mentalities that were once so foreign to me, but yet now seem as if they have always only ever been the true way! Which indeed they have! It was my former understanding that was upside down and inside out. That's how it is with living out of our own resources and trying to figure out how to make this life work apart from HIM! 

Thankfully, He is more real to me than ever before. I feel like I 'know' Him so well, and I do indeed trust Him. But yet I am mystified by Him all at the same time. He is my constant companion, but yet sometimes I wish He would act like He is as mighty as I know Him to be. Why does He decide to hide himself sometimes I wonder? When I know He is who He says He is, why does it seem like He is not actually going to prove it?? I don't doubt His ability, I know He is the same yesterday, today and forever. But why, oh why does that not come to reality at times, especially at critical times - like right now for example. Right now, a loved one, lies listless on a hospital bed - doesn't HE long to be gracious to him? Yes, of course He does. So why is he not being healed? Where does it all come unraveled - where is the clarification of who I know my Daddy to be, versus actually seeing Him in action when He is needed? Or should I say, seeing the reality of the cross manifest in peoples lives. Especially when it comes to physical tangible transformation.  I mean Mary and Martha wondered that too. Lord, if you had been here sooner, they said..........He knew what He was doing then, and even then He still did a miracle! So why not now? Am I missing something? Is there a break down somewhere in my understanding? In my believing?  I do however know that even if the outcome is not, shall we say, as my understanding would have it to be, that He will work ALL things together for good. Even things the enemy attempts for our destruction. I mean after all, how can you take down someone who is headed heavenward. Well, I suppose you rob him of his life early and devastate his loved ones. But, God can still redeem and restore even then, can He not? 

Yet despite this truth, and the comfort of knowing my loved one will be in heaven with Jesus - I wrestle with it all. Frustration consumes me, because I want to see a BIG and mighty God in action. After all in the New Testament when signs and wonders and miracles were performed, many believed! Many!!! So naturally, I want to taste and see this kind of miracle working power in action. Now more than ever! It's a longing so deep and so intense I feel as though I can't contain the severity of it. I feel as if it's becoming a part of who I am to see this miracle working power spring into action. I know that for those who have become new creations in Christ, we have the same resurrection power alive in us, as that which raised Christ from the dead. We carry this power! It's ours! But how, oh how to unleash it! I just have to believe it's true and I have to speak the words and trust that the power will deliver. And even when it does not, I cannot say it is not true! I so long to see it be real though. With my very own eyes. I believe in the unseen eternal realm so much so that nothing else makes sense to me, even though I often don't see it pan out. Others may call me a fool. When I'd rather trust in the nature of my God, versus the wisdom of man (think Dr.'s here). I refuse to accept the unacceptable - yet the unacceptable occurs. How do I handle that? It hurts too much...........................................................

..............................................................................................................................more than I can bear it. Yet, somehow, His love continues to compel me. Propel me, drive me in this direction, that to some seems insane. Intense. Ridiculous. I put forth my child like trust in Him, and I get blank stares. Quizzical replies as to how can you not just accept 'reality'. That's just it. I don't think what we see in the natural, has to be our reality. To me it's simple. But yet not so simple at the same time. 

It's a conundrum for certain.................this mystery in Him. Nevertheless, I plod on.......staying this course, longing to live in the reality of the finality of the Cross. Longing to see the whole world get set freed in their minds. Chains of endless length and thickness would deteriorate into dust - and freedom to live in resurrection zoe life would reign throughout the earth. Christians everywhere would learn to trust and KNOW their great and awesome Father - and learn to become the true sons of God. Bold and confident, only doing what He is doing, because they are so intimately involved with Him and His unfolding plans to redeem the whole world through the glorious gospel. OH, I long for that! I long to be amidst an army of sons............ I long for the day when I will speak the healing word and it will manifest. God I need to SEE it!!! 

I long for You to be so real and tangible to a lost and hurting world - even to those who claim to be your children, yet live as though they must wait until heaven to enjoy eternal life in YOU!! 

My heart can't contain the burdens I bear, but I sense that you are giving me your heart, you are a mighty rushing river flowing in me and all your waves and breakers are about to crash out of me............................I can feel it...................I know you want to flow, course and emanate your love through me - I can't contain you - I can't keep you to myself - I must overflow, cascade, gush out your life - it must be available for others, as you are an 'other' lover - your love is fixed upon the object of your affections- you long to be gracious to all......................................................I am so full, so satisfied in You, yet I long for more at the same time!! 

Undeserving..........

For God so loved the world......He created us in HIS image and declared us GOOD.......Jesus Christ, the lamb slain BEFORE the foundation of the world. 

Grace was in place before man ever sinned, or even existed!! Man was wanted by God, therefore he was created.

So, I was struck today by a very ridiculous, but common statement I hear uttered out of the mouths of christians regularly. It's right up there with, "I am doing better than I deserve."  Ugh! It was someone stating how undeserving poor lil ole them is receiving grace from God. 

Alright, pause for a moment..............................Let's become like little children. Say your parents lavished love on you day in and day out. They shower you with good gifts and declare how wonderful and precious you are to them. Your dad even tells you that you are perfect in His sight, even though you know from time to time you really are quite naughty. Do you gratefully receive your parents unceasing love for you? Or do you say thanks dad, but I am so undeserving of this love and kindness? I don't know about any of you - but as a child I can't recall telling my parents I don't deserve their goodness. I actually craved their love and affection, and longed for them to be good to me. 

So, back to this 'undeserving'  christian attitude we hear of so often. Folks that attitude shows me that you are focused on your shortcomings and not on the fact that God loves to bless you, and to pour out His love on you. 

Next time someone asks you how you are doing - you can revel in God's goodness to you with joy and point to His perfect love - not your 'undeservedness'. Jesus already dealt with our fallen state - God has declared us righteousness and spotless!! Let's believe Him and thank Him for what He's done, not to mention what He has already completely finished!!

It's not about us deserving it - after all it's unmerited. We can't earn it anyway. That would miss the point of the very nature of God. He pours out His love freely because he can't help it!! He is a lover!

We just miss the heart of God when we make it about us (and ultimately about our performance)!  There is nothing you or I can DO to obtain his favor, grace or love.  And, there is nothing we can DO to lose it either! Jesus act upon Calvary was the ultimate love act for all of mankind! And it was His joy to go to the Cross!! He knew what it would mean for all of humanity! Restored relationship and a new life for all who would but believe on Him!!! 

Grace is indeed unmerited, it is a gift! We can freely receive it without having to feel the need to point out we are undeserving. I don't know about you, but I long to be blessed by God and I smile when he showers me with heavenly kisses. I know He loves and adores me and it makes my heart sing with delight!! That is relationship!! Relationship is based on love and acceptance, not on merit or performance!! So go ahead and freely receive the lavish grace of your wonderful Father!!! 

Lazarus come forth.........

John 11

The Death of Lazarus

 ¹Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ²This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. ³So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick."

 ⁴When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." ⁵Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ⁶Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.

 ⁷Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."

 ⁸"But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"

 ⁹Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. ¹⁰It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."

 ¹¹After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up."

 ¹²His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." ¹³Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

 ¹⁴So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, ¹⁵and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

 ¹⁶Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

Jesus Comforts the Sisters

 ¹⁷On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. ¹⁸Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁹and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. ²⁰When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

 ²¹"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²²But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."

 ²³Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."

 ²⁴Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

 ²⁵Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; ²⁶and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

 ²⁷"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

 ²⁸And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." ²⁹When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. ³⁰Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. ³¹When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

 ³²When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

 ³³When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ³⁴"Where have you laid him?" he asked. 
      "Come and see, Lord," they replied.

 ³⁵Jesus wept.

 ³⁶Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"

 ³⁷But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead

 ³⁸Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. ³⁹"Take away the stone," he said. 
      "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."

 ⁴⁰Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

 ⁴¹So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. ⁴²I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."

 ⁴³When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" ⁴⁴The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. 
      Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

Deep is calling...........

Held captive by your sweet embrace

I'm locked into your loving gaze

In the stillness of this moment

My every heartbeat thunders

With love for you Lord

In this holy and intimate place

I try to speak but my words fail

So with these tears that flow

From the depths of my soul

I'll anoint you with my praise

And deep is calling out to deep 

In the roar of your waterfall

Your breakers of love

Sweep over my heart

And I'm tumbling 

In the waves of your grace

~ Michelle Bass

Prayer Request.........

I am writing to request any and all prayer on behalf of my Uncle Harry. Several days ago he was in an accident on his motor scooter. He lives in Florida, and I am guessing he did not have a helmet on. Anyway, he has incurred 2 fractured ribs and a punctured lung as well as severe swelling in his head and around his brain. Because of the swelling they have not been able to look further at what damage could have been done. They tried to reduce the meds that were keeping him sedated but he started having seizures, so they had to keep him fully sedated. 

My Uncle is a wonderful man, he is in his late 60's. My parents had already scheduled a visit to Florida next week just for pleasure. Now they will be there during critical times. Some of you may remember this time last year my grandpa (also from Florida) was in the hospital in critical condition and then passed away a few weeks later. Please pray for my family during this time. Pray that LIFE reigns and Harry recovers and the resurrection life that is alive in Him comes forth in his mortal body!!! Grace and peace!!!

How to be transformed..........

Ooh brr, it's chilly in there here parts today. A truly true fall day. It's beginning to feel alot like holidays are approaching (and yes, I am thinking it's beginning to feel alot like Christmas too, shh but don't tell anyone, it might be too soon for that, oy!) I rustled, crackled and crunched through the leaves on my way to work, all cozy in my sweater. I have been waiting for it to fully be sweater season. Yahoo!! I love me a warm snuggly sweater. Anyway.......I am rambling on incessantly. What I really wanted to share about today was this simple phrase that has been going through my mind for days. It's revolutionary! It's what everyone wants to know how to do, and all the legalists are dying for. How to be transformed. Or as they would say it, be more righteous, or holy. But really don't we all want to be transformed. To grow up to look like our Father. Yeah, I think we all long for that glorious transformation to be made manifest in our lives. 

WELL, I am here to share some good news. While we are truly made new in our spirits, and longing for our soul and body to reflect that new life - we can be transformed. It's quite simple actually. 

 BE

TRANSFORMED

BY

THE

R-E-N-E-W-I-N-G

OF 

YOUR 

MIND!!!

That's it, 'Be transformed, by the r-e-n-e-w-i-n-g of your mind. Renew your thinking. How? By believing what God has done for you and who He has made you into. Let me tell you, this is true!! I can vouch for it. I am being transformed from the inside out. 

I am here to tell you, don't look at your sitution, circumstances, flesh or struggles. Nuh uh. Look at TRUTH. Look at Jesus and fill your mind with what He has done. Even if no one else can see the transformation yet, don't worry, they will. Cause it's His word. It's a guarantee. He has accomplished much for you to live in the benefits of. So come on now, and just fill your mind with the truth that you can't see. It's where your hope lies. You have no hope in your flesh, or what life may bring your way. Your hope is in what He has already made new in you, and you can continue to live in this newness. Every day, new mercies, new beginnings, renew your thoughts. Refresh yourself, by believing what happened at the cross is truly finished! 

I love all the various definitions of renew. To begin, or take up again. To restore or replenish or make new. To revive, re-establish. To recover. To begin again, recommence. To regain or restore the physical or mental vigor of. Or how about this one, to bring back to an original condition (can you say - prior to the fall) of freshness and vigor. And interestingly enough, one of the synonyms for renew is regenerate. How cool is that?!!

So that's what God has put on my MIND lately. Haha. We are transformed by the renewing of our mind. By believing the Gospel. Not by our efforts, strength, our own pursuit of sanctification or good behavior. But by r-e-n-e-w-i-n-g our minds!!! Grace and peace to all who stop by!!!

My cuties........

The weather has been amazing around here these days. Wednesday I took my two little guys to our local 'tot lot' to enjoy the day. So I just wanted to share a moment of a day in our life with you all. 

You are the will of God........

But when He... called me... I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood. Galatians 1:16

 

How-to-do-it, gimmick-oriented Christians have a field day when it comes to determining the will of God as applied to specific life situations. My "Designer's Blueprint for Happiness" course had what I thought was the ultimate check-list for ascer taining God's will. The fifteen methods which I listed in that part of the course can be summarized as follows:

 

 1. Through the concurrence of spouse or partner.

 2. Through chain of counsel, or chain of command.

 3. Through a multitude of counselors.

 4. Through "fiscal breathing."

 5. Through confirming fleece tests.

 6. Through specific scriptures.

 7. Through general scriptural guidance.

 8. Through an analysis of your motivating gift and your life message.

 9. Through careful analysis of the facts.

10. Through an attitude of submission to God's will.

11. Through common sense, circumstances and signs.

12. Through prayer.

13. Through fasting.

14. Through supernatural guidance by spiritual gifts

15. Through waiting on God for inner peace.

 

The illusion of independent self causes most of us to have an inordinate desire to objectively determine the will of God. To just be still and know that He is God seems like foolishness when we have a God-given mind and such a beautiful long list of things we can "do." Our attitude is that "God helps those who help themselves." We will do all we can for ourselves, and if we are still confused, then we will trust God to somehow lead us to do the "right" thing. The subjective approach (item 15 above) is resorted to only if the other fourteen objective steps leave us mentally uncertain.

 

How do you ascertain the leading of the Lord when you are confronted with major decisions? Why is it that we can spon taneously make thousands of smaller decisions each day with ease and naturalness, but insist on making a "big deal" out of other decisions? We do not find it necessary to call on God in beseeching prayer, or "figure out" the answers from objective will-of-God check lists for the smaller decisions; we just do what comes naturally. Why then do we not use the same relaxed spontaneity in "major" decisions?

 

My personal check-list has recently been reduced to only Item #15 -"Through waiting on God for inner peace." All I care about now is inner knowing. Though most men might see this as totally unreliable subjectivity, to me it is true objectivity, because it is eternal spirit-fact. Even the approach of waiting for a sense of inner peace is only used by me on rare occasions; for exam ple, when a decision needs to be made concerning a public ministry which involves other people.

 

Since we have the mind of Christ in our union with Him, why would we need to seek for peace or for His will? If we agree with David that, "He guides me in the paths of righteousness" (Psa. 23:3), why not just live naturally doing the next thing which spontaneously "happens"? If we "know all things" (I Jn. 2:20), what is it that we want to find out? In union we are the will of God. Because we now have a new name and a new nature, our hearts are no longer "desperately wicked" (Jer. 17:9), and we need not be suspicious of ourselves. No, now we can trust our selves and our spontaneous decisions, because we have an awareness that in oneness our decisions are His decisions.

 

Union is not conditional. It is not subject to how you feel, nor is it dependent on past performance, nor even on current at titude. Many who say, "I have the witness of the Spirit," or "I feel that the Lord is leading me in this matter," give away their inherent unbelief and immaturity by their very protestations of certainty. Don't you always have the witness of the Spirit; isn't He leading in all matters; don't you believe that His will is always being done on earth as it is in heaven?

 

Then is there any point at all to the fourteen objective methods I listed for determining the will of God? Yes. They have the same purpose as teachers and teaching. Though you have no need of a teacher because you know all things, teachers do provide a confirming witness to truth already known within the inner being of the hearers. In the same way, the fourteen ob jective methods must be seen as nothing but confirmations of pre-existing truth. Whether it is the concurrence of the spouse, the advice of parents, the results of a fleece test, the words of a prophecy, or a specific or general statement from Scripture, each should be nothing more than an outer confirmation of a pre existing inner leading.

 

So away with all the fancy check-lists, until they are seen for what they are. We were meant to be spontaneous and free. That spontaneity and freedom might lead you in various situations to all types and methods of confirming witness. But all decisions must flow from a confident and peaceful inner awareness of His presence, not from facts, or mental approaches, or supernatural signs, or the dictates of others.

 

When God called Paul, the apostle checked with no one. He "did not immediately consult with flesh and blood." He felt no need to be under submission or have a "covering." Apparently he did consult with those in Jerusalem at a later date, but not initially. He was free to consult, or not to consult. At the time of the calling he inwardly knew what he was to do, and this allowed no alternative but to go directly to Arabia. We too can have total confidence in our decisions, knowing that we are the will of God, because He is our very life.

 

The prophet Agabus was sent to Caesarea to prophesy Paul's imprisonment if he went to Jerusalem. If Paul had allowed the emotional feelings of his team and the local residents to deter him from going to Jerusalem, we would not have the prison epistles that we have today. Neither supernatural prophecy nor a multitude of counselors could deter Paul. "And since he would not be persuaded we fell silent, remarking, `The will of the Lord be done!' " (Acts 21:14). We too must trust God's leading in our brothers.

Paul, in turn, trusted the inner witness of his co-workers. He did not demand submission of Apollos, even though Paul's counsel was directly opposite to Apollos' desire and action. "But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethern, but it was not at all his desire" (I Cor. 16:12).

We must grant the same kind of freedom to others as we want for ourselves, for they too are God's perfect expressions - they too are Christ in action. Though we never abdicate our freedom, nor demand that others relinquish theirs, it is understood that the advice, opinions and dictates of others will frequently be major factors in our subjective, spontaneous decisions and actions.

~ by Bill Volkman