Do you sometimes feel that our country, yes, and the world are in chaos? Well this is one of those days for me!
Today the supreme court is deciding whether the centuries old definition of marriage should be changed to accommodate same sex marriage. What's wrong here? I've had wonderful gay friends, but I never expected to have a major cultural tradition, let alone my personal Christian belief, demolished.....why?
Today, I'm watching the riots in Baltimore. Masses of police, National Guard units, and other law enforcement have come in to quell the lawless thugs who have destroyed their community in the guise of a protest against unjust treatment by the police that resulted in a prisoner found dead in their custody. There's no doubt the protest has real merit, but these thugs looted, set community services and improvements on fire, then cut the fire hoses in defiance as the outmanned police stood by trying to at least prevent harm to people.
Just as you can, I can list a multitude of other major hits to my Christian world view. That's most likely how people felt in 30 A.D. when Jesus walked the streets of Jerusalem, especially when they saw a great crowd following this Holy Man being led to His crucifixion crushing all their hopes for a Messiah that would set things right.
One thing is different, though. We hold that Hope in our hands, our hearts, our very lives. Why, because this Man, Jesus Christ, gave us the key to peace. PRAYER in the Name of Jesus!
As so many Christians have, I am lately compelled to my knees, on almost a daily basis, to pray for The Church, my country, and the world in crisis. I'm praying for:
The Church......The Church, the Body of Christ, is the holder of the LIGHT (Matthew 5:13 - 16).
However, what is the state of The Church in America? If you are hearing what the Holy Spirit is telling me, we need to pray for her. Pray that she will be delivered from the things of this world (both material and spiritual) that are like rotten apples in a redeemed soul.
The Church......the hundreds of modern-day martyrs who are suffering from the extremist Islamic terrorists all over the world, their families, their local churches who are under attack.
America....that God will have mercy on us and give us, as His Church here, another chance to be a light in the world. We can repent for our past apathy, pray for change, and get informed so that we can vote for godly and men and women who are culturally sensitive to the Judeo-Christian ethics as they are raised up and run for office.
The African American community in this country.....that these communities where poverty and crime are rampant, leading to hopelessness, might be healed by a sovereign move of God. There has to be local leaders from local churches that will teach the Christian values of traditional families who take responsibility for their children. There must be encouragers from those Blacks who have been successful who will work with the young men and women who want a chance to succeed. These and so many other elements, needing wisdom and enablement, must be prayed for by their fellow Americans who believe there is power in the Name of Jesus.
There is so much more I could sermonize on in this serious entry today, but you are not ignorant of these things, I'm sure. All I can do is join with you as you, too, pray... as you, too, commit to give up some time from your personal plans and pray each day. Yes, I still have a quiet time most days for personal devotions, but the Holy Spirit has pressed me to take some additional time during my evening relaxation in front of the TV set watching a favorite series. Thank God for DVR's so that I can record and go back to the show I missed....a gift of grace from my Beloved.
There's one thing I know for sure. Jesus, Himself, promises that these prayers will be heard and that they will be answered....because they bear His Name....the Name which causes the demons in Hell to shudder because He has already defeated them. This Name is the stamp of Guarantee!
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Monday, April 13, 2015
Giftings
I've been thinking of gifts lately...not new jewelry, or a new jacket, or even a gift card. For instance, at my watercolor class, Saturday, I gave two students the same subject to paint... a beautiful hot pink hibiscus blossom. I gave them step-by-step instructions and watched their progress. It was not long before I realized that each would create a totally different painting. However, each painting was beautiful...the kind that makes a teacher speak out, "Oh, I'm so proud of you both. These are each so gorgeous!"
Both students have a lot of artistic talent, but both have very different personalities. One is very careful, disciplined, and conscientious. The other student is much more a free spirit. And these characteristics were so obvious in their paintings. The instructions and subject were the same, but the painter was true to who she is.
Later, when I settled down after dinner, I tuned into a PBS Masterpiece Classic, Mark Morris Dance Group. It was not a traditional ballet. The costumes' woodsy color scheme was soft and muted and very pleasing to the eye, fitting the choreographer's conception of the story of mankind.
The 30 or so dancers sometimes moved together and in unison, sometimes in groups, large and small, mirroring another group, and sometime a lone dancer told a story for a few moments. The choreography was so ingenious and captivating that even though I wasn't sure about the story, I loved watching the movement of the incredibly talented dancers.
And, if you're still with me, I want to share with you the revelation about gifts that I received as I watched ....spiritual gifts, that is.
First of all, our Creator designed us all to be unique and beautiful in His eyes. You need only to look around you to verify that. However, we learn in the New Testament that the Holy Spirit also has gifts...spiritual gifts... for us as believers. And that's where my two artistic events on Saturday come in.
They showed me how, just as a good instructor or director or choreographer leads and guides the many talents of his artists or dancers to portray the vision of the composer or creator, the Lord takes us each, equips us with unique giftings that will express His eternal plans. He allows our individual gifts and talents to express themselves through the uniqueness of who we are. The Holy Spirit is the director, carefully guiding us to fulfill the Master's plans.
And that is what means so much to me. I can be His bride....unique in who I am and in my gifts, and still, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I am His Bride...the corporate Body of Christ. The dancers all have the same music, the same picture to present to the audience, but each must carefully follow the director in order to complete accurately the vision of the composer/choreographer.
Whether our gift is teaching, serving, healing, hospitality, administration, leadership, or any one of a number of others, we must yield to the guidance of the Lord and His Spirit to learn how to use these gifts. He wants to use them through our personality, our abilities, and our unique personage, making us each His "special one". However, at the same time, He fits our uniqueness into the totality of His plan for His Creation... His eternal ballet.
It will be a wonder to behold when we get to heaven and see the whole picture. I can't wait!
Both students have a lot of artistic talent, but both have very different personalities. One is very careful, disciplined, and conscientious. The other student is much more a free spirit. And these characteristics were so obvious in their paintings. The instructions and subject were the same, but the painter was true to who she is.
Later, when I settled down after dinner, I tuned into a PBS Masterpiece Classic, Mark Morris Dance Group. It was not a traditional ballet. The costumes' woodsy color scheme was soft and muted and very pleasing to the eye, fitting the choreographer's conception of the story of mankind.
The 30 or so dancers sometimes moved together and in unison, sometimes in groups, large and small, mirroring another group, and sometime a lone dancer told a story for a few moments. The choreography was so ingenious and captivating that even though I wasn't sure about the story, I loved watching the movement of the incredibly talented dancers.
And, if you're still with me, I want to share with you the revelation about gifts that I received as I watched ....spiritual gifts, that is.
First of all, our Creator designed us all to be unique and beautiful in His eyes. You need only to look around you to verify that. However, we learn in the New Testament that the Holy Spirit also has gifts...spiritual gifts... for us as believers. And that's where my two artistic events on Saturday come in.
They showed me how, just as a good instructor or director or choreographer leads and guides the many talents of his artists or dancers to portray the vision of the composer or creator, the Lord takes us each, equips us with unique giftings that will express His eternal plans. He allows our individual gifts and talents to express themselves through the uniqueness of who we are. The Holy Spirit is the director, carefully guiding us to fulfill the Master's plans.
And that is what means so much to me. I can be His bride....unique in who I am and in my gifts, and still, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I am His Bride...the corporate Body of Christ. The dancers all have the same music, the same picture to present to the audience, but each must carefully follow the director in order to complete accurately the vision of the composer/choreographer.
Whether our gift is teaching, serving, healing, hospitality, administration, leadership, or any one of a number of others, we must yield to the guidance of the Lord and His Spirit to learn how to use these gifts. He wants to use them through our personality, our abilities, and our unique personage, making us each His "special one". However, at the same time, He fits our uniqueness into the totality of His plan for His Creation... His eternal ballet.
It will be a wonder to behold when we get to heaven and see the whole picture. I can't wait!
Monday, April 6, 2015
New Beginnings
Yesterday was Easter and what a
glorious Arizona day if was!. After church, I joined my son and his
family in the car as we drove to a friend's for a scrumptious Easter
dinner in their beautiful back patio. But the highlight for me was my
son's question in the car. "Mom, do you want to hear Handel's
Hallelujah Chorus?' I said, "Sure!" And his wife fiddled around with her
Iphone and he punched in some things on the car's fancy dashboard, and
then at almost full volume, the glorious strains of the classic
masterpiece of praise for the Resurrection filled our journey. My
daughter-in-law's mother opened her window a few inches so that the
music could be heard by all who were walking or bicycling nearby. We
were all singing as the last strains caused us to want to stand and
wildly applaud.....which of course doesn't work real well in a car.
I was transported to the heavenlies as I sang along and, as it finally ended, I asked my son if he remembered that I always played that on Easter morning when he was growing up. He said, "Not really." However, I knew his spirit remembered, prompting him to play this incredible piece for us on this Easter day.
How often we don't know how vital our efforts to build a foundation of spiritual truths into our family are. It may be years from now, but each stone we place is not forgotten by the Lord. And regardless of the immediate response, I believe He sets them with the mortor of His Spirit into those for whom they were intended. Those stones are permanent and living with the Life of the Holy Spirit. I, like you, am still waiting for dear ones to hear the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit as He draws them into the Truth of the Gospel and the Life and the Way. Easter is a wonderful time to remember the faithfulness of God.
So, I am taking this season of New Beginnings to be more consistent in my postings. The Holy Spirit has been nudging me, also. For my followers, I apologize for the gap in postings. No really great excuse, just busy-ness with three watercolor classes I teach, double knee replacement, and other priorities that cause me to be lax in staying up on all the new ways to involve myself in social media. But if you'll give me a second chance, I promise to be consistent. I believe our Jesus has some things to say through this humble writer.
I was transported to the heavenlies as I sang along and, as it finally ended, I asked my son if he remembered that I always played that on Easter morning when he was growing up. He said, "Not really." However, I knew his spirit remembered, prompting him to play this incredible piece for us on this Easter day.
How often we don't know how vital our efforts to build a foundation of spiritual truths into our family are. It may be years from now, but each stone we place is not forgotten by the Lord. And regardless of the immediate response, I believe He sets them with the mortor of His Spirit into those for whom they were intended. Those stones are permanent and living with the Life of the Holy Spirit. I, like you, am still waiting for dear ones to hear the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit as He draws them into the Truth of the Gospel and the Life and the Way. Easter is a wonderful time to remember the faithfulness of God.
So, I am taking this season of New Beginnings to be more consistent in my postings. The Holy Spirit has been nudging me, also. For my followers, I apologize for the gap in postings. No really great excuse, just busy-ness with three watercolor classes I teach, double knee replacement, and other priorities that cause me to be lax in staying up on all the new ways to involve myself in social media. But if you'll give me a second chance, I promise to be consistent. I believe our Jesus has some things to say through this humble writer.
Monday, July 1, 2013
June contrasts
Well, it is 115 degrees outside right now, and I have resigned myself to the next three months of staying housebound after noon each day and a huge AC bill each month. This is a good time to get caught up on my writing, my art and other indoor activities. The neighborhood pool is still just cool enough to be worth the walk, and I enjoy doing my water aerobics to the sounds of worhip music being piped into my ears by tiny earbuds attached to the IPOD securely anchored in my hat's headband. A couple of foam noodles under my arms assure me that my head will stay dry and not ruin one of my most treasured possessions.
I read an article this week in the latest Charisma Magazine written by Misty Edwards, my favorite worship music artist. You can go online and read the article as well as others by Kari Jobe and Paul Baloche, among others. Misty writes about combining prayer and intercession within our musical worship. After all, powerful worship is truly a dialogue with our wonderful God...we tell him in our songs how much we love Him; we sing of His awesome and all powerful attributes and how they empower us. We are hearing His Word speaking to us. We are praying!
Why not take this time of intense focus and faith to intercede with prayers that agree with this empowerment? For instance, yesterday in our church corporate worship, we sang about the power in Jesus' Name and His mighty deeds on earth. We sang of His holiness and His all powerful majesty. As our worship rose in repeated crescendos, I found myself interceding for two or three people whom I could see in the congregation. I spoke out the Name of Jesus over the strongholds that I know are keeping these people or members of their family from responding to the love and truth that Jesus offers them. I knew these prayers were effective and would be answered. After the service, I spoke to others who also had been led to pray during the worhip. It's also one of the most enjoyable ways to pray during our own personal times of fellowship with the Lord.
I just returned from an absolutely wonderful trip to England and the British Isles. After spending three days with my pen pal of sixty years and her husband who live an hour north of London in a quaint little town with 1000 year old churches and thatched roof houses, I met my son, Scott and his family at Harwich to board a 10 day cruise to Normandy, France, the British island of Guernsey, then three Irish ports and two Scottish ports, along with Liverpool.
We spent a day in Dublin, visiting Trinity University where we saw the forth century originals of the gospels (hand written and illustrated by monks), ate fish and chips, rode the off and on bus that gives a tour of the city and had dinner with my daughter-in-law's relatives at a local pub with live musicians jammin' the old Irish favorites. In Scotland, we toured Inverary Castle after a breathtaking drive along Loch Loman. The castle was a filming site of some the the Downton Abbey PBS series.
We also drove to Loch Ness at the next port (home of Nessy, the mysterious monster), a very beautiful huge lake. The ruins of a tenth century castle sits on a natural promentory and the Visitor's center explains the centuries of battles between the original Celts, the Vikings, the Normans, and the British. With all the spectacular beauty, there is a melencholy in the Irish music and Scotish bagpipes that is really haunting.
In addition to the spectacular beauty of these kelly green Isles spackled with wild rhododendrums, bluebells and yelllow rape along the roads everywhere, homes and buildings in the towns sported hanging baskets overflowing with huge pansies, petunias and lobelia. I loved the sheep in many of the fields that are separated not by fences but by green hedges or low stone walls and the friendly people we met everywhere. The only thing I did not love were the hundreds of steps I climbed up and down countless times each day.
This story would not be complete without telling you of the joy I found sharing a stateroom with my two fifteen year old grandchildren. I'm serious! Yes, they were normal teenagers, didn't want to be with us much of the time, and found their own friends quickly onboard the Celebrity Infinity ship. But we had fun sharing the room, and I had a few precious private hours with each of them.
I'm so grateful for not only the opportunity (a gift from Scott and Mary) to take this trip, but to be with my son, his wonderful wife, and the kids. They are a delightful and funloving family. God has truly answered so many of my prayers and concerns, especially for my grandchildren. I am so blessed.
I leave you with this beautiful verse that was noted today in my favorite devotional, Jesus is Calling.
I read an article this week in the latest Charisma Magazine written by Misty Edwards, my favorite worship music artist. You can go online and read the article as well as others by Kari Jobe and Paul Baloche, among others. Misty writes about combining prayer and intercession within our musical worship. After all, powerful worship is truly a dialogue with our wonderful God...we tell him in our songs how much we love Him; we sing of His awesome and all powerful attributes and how they empower us. We are hearing His Word speaking to us. We are praying!
Why not take this time of intense focus and faith to intercede with prayers that agree with this empowerment? For instance, yesterday in our church corporate worship, we sang about the power in Jesus' Name and His mighty deeds on earth. We sang of His holiness and His all powerful majesty. As our worship rose in repeated crescendos, I found myself interceding for two or three people whom I could see in the congregation. I spoke out the Name of Jesus over the strongholds that I know are keeping these people or members of their family from responding to the love and truth that Jesus offers them. I knew these prayers were effective and would be answered. After the service, I spoke to others who also had been led to pray during the worhip. It's also one of the most enjoyable ways to pray during our own personal times of fellowship with the Lord.
I just returned from an absolutely wonderful trip to England and the British Isles. After spending three days with my pen pal of sixty years and her husband who live an hour north of London in a quaint little town with 1000 year old churches and thatched roof houses, I met my son, Scott and his family at Harwich to board a 10 day cruise to Normandy, France, the British island of Guernsey, then three Irish ports and two Scottish ports, along with Liverpool.
We spent a day in Dublin, visiting Trinity University where we saw the forth century originals of the gospels (hand written and illustrated by monks), ate fish and chips, rode the off and on bus that gives a tour of the city and had dinner with my daughter-in-law's relatives at a local pub with live musicians jammin' the old Irish favorites. In Scotland, we toured Inverary Castle after a breathtaking drive along Loch Loman. The castle was a filming site of some the the Downton Abbey PBS series.
We also drove to Loch Ness at the next port (home of Nessy, the mysterious monster), a very beautiful huge lake. The ruins of a tenth century castle sits on a natural promentory and the Visitor's center explains the centuries of battles between the original Celts, the Vikings, the Normans, and the British. With all the spectacular beauty, there is a melencholy in the Irish music and Scotish bagpipes that is really haunting.
In addition to the spectacular beauty of these kelly green Isles spackled with wild rhododendrums, bluebells and yelllow rape along the roads everywhere, homes and buildings in the towns sported hanging baskets overflowing with huge pansies, petunias and lobelia. I loved the sheep in many of the fields that are separated not by fences but by green hedges or low stone walls and the friendly people we met everywhere. The only thing I did not love were the hundreds of steps I climbed up and down countless times each day.
This story would not be complete without telling you of the joy I found sharing a stateroom with my two fifteen year old grandchildren. I'm serious! Yes, they were normal teenagers, didn't want to be with us much of the time, and found their own friends quickly onboard the Celebrity Infinity ship. But we had fun sharing the room, and I had a few precious private hours with each of them.
I'm so grateful for not only the opportunity (a gift from Scott and Mary) to take this trip, but to be with my son, his wonderful wife, and the kids. They are a delightful and funloving family. God has truly answered so many of my prayers and concerns, especially for my grandchildren. I am so blessed.
I leave you with this beautiful verse that was noted today in my favorite devotional, Jesus is Calling.
The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety.
The High God surrounds him all day long
and dwells between his shoulders.
Dueteronomy 33:12
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
As the weather warms up in Arizona, the height of the spring gush of color and exotic blossoms of every unimaginable shape and size pop out overnight, blaze for a few days or weeks, and bring delight to us desert dwellers. I remember how much it blessed me last year after my wrenching move to Phoenix, to see it. It was the first installment on the promises spoken lovingly to my heart from my precious Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus.
A year later, I am still reflecting on the faithfulness of God. Here are a few of the countless bouquets I can think of on the spot:
I later went shopping and ended up in Macy's for their President Days Sales. In the mattress department, a nice young man helpfully guided me to the type of mattress I was looking for. (Do you realize how many types there are nowadays?) I tried a couple and then laid down on a lonely looking twin in the corner. That was it! I knew I had found it! And guess how much it was? You guessed it. The commission check had been designed by My Beloved to remind me that He shares the most intimate places of my heart and loves to delight me in such intimate ways.
Lately, I have been squeezing in time each week to finish up "Deep Calls unto Deep ~ Responding to the Passionate Love of God". It is the same Bible Study on the Song of Solomon that I taught to my Bouquets Group in Florida. However, I have been formatting it into a printed booklet form with pictures, questions boxes, special interest inserts and other items to keep it interesting. I wanted to have a booklet that readers could take home and continue the study in between classes. It has been a daunting task, but one I cannot stop. We are already on Session four in my Bouquets class.
As my first year in Phoenix winds up and I embark on many more, I see the wisdom of God in His guidance. The things I have just written are not world-shattering, but mostly common to us all and yet they are so important to our Bridegroom. I still feel like His blushing bride.
A year later, I am still reflecting on the faithfulness of God. Here are a few of the countless bouquets I can think of on the spot:
- A new and precious "Bouquets Girls" ministry in my home two Saturdays a month
- A precious church family that fully supports my gifts and speaks the Word into my heart, and fills it with incredibly powerful Worship every Sunday.
- A fresh and growing closeness to my two teenage grandchildren living here in Phoenix, along with the constant love and support of my son and his wife.
- Watercolor painting classes at a nearby Senior Recreational Center where beginners learn the joy of creating something beautiful and I get to show them how.
- Daily financial provision from many sources....many unexpected....to meet my needs, and to spoil me with some of my wants and wishes.
- A garage, and a blooming courtyard.....both of them daily appreciated.
I later went shopping and ended up in Macy's for their President Days Sales. In the mattress department, a nice young man helpfully guided me to the type of mattress I was looking for. (Do you realize how many types there are nowadays?) I tried a couple and then laid down on a lonely looking twin in the corner. That was it! I knew I had found it! And guess how much it was? You guessed it. The commission check had been designed by My Beloved to remind me that He shares the most intimate places of my heart and loves to delight me in such intimate ways.
Lately, I have been squeezing in time each week to finish up "Deep Calls unto Deep ~ Responding to the Passionate Love of God". It is the same Bible Study on the Song of Solomon that I taught to my Bouquets Group in Florida. However, I have been formatting it into a printed booklet form with pictures, questions boxes, special interest inserts and other items to keep it interesting. I wanted to have a booklet that readers could take home and continue the study in between classes. It has been a daunting task, but one I cannot stop. We are already on Session four in my Bouquets class.
As my first year in Phoenix winds up and I embark on many more, I see the wisdom of God in His guidance. The things I have just written are not world-shattering, but mostly common to us all and yet they are so important to our Bridegroom. I still feel like His blushing bride.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Thinking about the future...
It's difficult for a Christian to ignore the ominous signs all around us that we are at some kind of crossroads in our country, in the Church in America, and in the world. I 'm sure you've felt it. I believe it's the Holy Spirit, saying something like this, "Heads up....look around....stay close to Me"
It's Christmastime again....only now I'm in Arizona... and time to decorate, bake, rehearse for the Christmas musical (I really volunteered to do this?), and time to ponder, just as Mary did.
I've always been so drawn to Mary and her quiet obedience and trust. Everything around her concerning her pregnancy, her marriage to Joseph,and their untimely trip to Bethlehem must have caused her to spend a lot of time seeking and praying to Yaweh. And of course, finding herself alone with Joseph, giving birth to the "Son of God"... in a stable no less, followed by a group of worshiping shepherds....would certainly cause her to ponder on these things. Then top it off with a visit by eastern magi bearing exhorbitant gifts, a middle of the night escape from the mass murdering of small baby boys, and instructions to move to Egypt. How would you feel?
Here in Phoenix my family is doing well and I'm enjoying being so near them. We all spent a weekend together in San Diego at my daughter, Tanya's, house for an early Thanksgiving. Here in Phoenix, Scott, my son, and Mary and Brendan and Kimmi and I all went out to an expensive steakhouse for Brendan's 15th birthday last week.....and he had two lobster tails! You explain that!
Last night the women of my church gathered for a beautiful Christmas Dinner, catered, with music and love all around. Our Christmas musical will be Dec 16th during the two morning services and I'm trying to learn 8 songs by heart. My Life group (small group) will have it's party at my house that evening, and my Bouquets Group will have theirs the following Saturday. Then my whole family will be in Phoenix for the Christmas week. Kelly, my daughter's 16 year old, is moving fast up the tennis rankings and will be playing a big tournament here that week. So I am blessed!
But even in the midst of blessing, or, for many ,small or great trials, there is a sinister uncertainty for Christians stalking us. We have been spared that in America so far, but no more, I and so many others believe. I kind of feel as though with the things going on around me now I am boarding the entry to a thrill and danger packed rollercoaster and I hate rollercoasters! For a wonderfully informative article on this go to: http://www.charismamag.com/spirit/prophecy/15873-america-at-the-end.
So, we need to heed Jesus' words to us about watching for the signs of the times. We need to pay attentions to Peter's warnings to be alert. We need to prayerfully read the prophecies and Revelation asking the Holy Spirit's guidance into "all Truth". We need to pray.....not just for what WE want to see happen, but pray for direction from the Spirit about what GOD WANTS TO HAPPEN. It just might be judgement on the evil which would lead them to repentance, as David often did. It just might be for strength and wisdom AND COURAGE to live through God's judgement here in America. I don't know.....but I want to be open and like Mary, I don't want to miss-judge the events going on all around me. I want to be able to hear The Lord's nudgings as He directs me, His bride, in, through, and around the uncertainties that seem to surround me. I want to trust Him....I am His and He is mine.
It's Christmastime again....only now I'm in Arizona... and time to decorate, bake, rehearse for the Christmas musical (I really volunteered to do this?), and time to ponder, just as Mary did.
I've always been so drawn to Mary and her quiet obedience and trust. Everything around her concerning her pregnancy, her marriage to Joseph,and their untimely trip to Bethlehem must have caused her to spend a lot of time seeking and praying to Yaweh. And of course, finding herself alone with Joseph, giving birth to the "Son of God"... in a stable no less, followed by a group of worshiping shepherds....would certainly cause her to ponder on these things. Then top it off with a visit by eastern magi bearing exhorbitant gifts, a middle of the night escape from the mass murdering of small baby boys, and instructions to move to Egypt. How would you feel?
Here in Phoenix my family is doing well and I'm enjoying being so near them. We all spent a weekend together in San Diego at my daughter, Tanya's, house for an early Thanksgiving. Here in Phoenix, Scott, my son, and Mary and Brendan and Kimmi and I all went out to an expensive steakhouse for Brendan's 15th birthday last week.....and he had two lobster tails! You explain that!
Last night the women of my church gathered for a beautiful Christmas Dinner, catered, with music and love all around. Our Christmas musical will be Dec 16th during the two morning services and I'm trying to learn 8 songs by heart. My Life group (small group) will have it's party at my house that evening, and my Bouquets Group will have theirs the following Saturday. Then my whole family will be in Phoenix for the Christmas week. Kelly, my daughter's 16 year old, is moving fast up the tennis rankings and will be playing a big tournament here that week. So I am blessed!
But even in the midst of blessing, or, for many ,small or great trials, there is a sinister uncertainty for Christians stalking us. We have been spared that in America so far, but no more, I and so many others believe. I kind of feel as though with the things going on around me now I am boarding the entry to a thrill and danger packed rollercoaster and I hate rollercoasters! For a wonderfully informative article on this go to: http://www.charismamag.com/spirit/prophecy/15873-america-at-the-end.
So, we need to heed Jesus' words to us about watching for the signs of the times. We need to pay attentions to Peter's warnings to be alert. We need to prayerfully read the prophecies and Revelation asking the Holy Spirit's guidance into "all Truth". We need to pray.....not just for what WE want to see happen, but pray for direction from the Spirit about what GOD WANTS TO HAPPEN. It just might be judgement on the evil which would lead them to repentance, as David often did. It just might be for strength and wisdom AND COURAGE to live through God's judgement here in America. I don't know.....but I want to be open and like Mary, I don't want to miss-judge the events going on all around me. I want to be able to hear The Lord's nudgings as He directs me, His bride, in, through, and around the uncertainties that seem to surround me. I want to trust Him....I am His and He is mine.
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