Lord, I Trust You BUT . . .

You know what I’m saying here . . . how often do we “kinda” trust.  We tell ourselves we trust in the Lord yet we want to know what His plan is before we commit. This is a hard thing to admit, but if we are honest with ourselves, we do want to “try before we buy” in life.  Oddly, we are more likely, at least to some degree, to shop online, meet strangers met through online dating services, and so much more . . . than we are to trust in the Lord who loves us sooooooo much He was willing to die for us rather than spend eternity without us!  Wow.  Really?  Shoot.  That’s hard to swallow!  For sure, it’s something to pray about.  Our faith is a gift from Him, though, and we can pray for increased faith.  He doesn’t want to simply bark orders at us like a commander.  He wants to be in relationship with us like a Daddy.  We can go to Him with all our “stuff.”  Daddy can fix anything . . .

What we need is not the will to believe but the will to find out.

- Bertrand Russell -

It Is NOT Too Late For YOU!

Okay, some would say I’m “too young” to be thinking of . . . and others that I’m “too old” to be thinking that . . . know what, though?  No matter what your own challenge is, give it to the Lord and surrender yourself fully to Him and your life will change folks.  He will use all of your life experiences and He has a plan for you.  Your age doesn’t matter, nor your gender, your knowledge , nor your bank account balance (for which I’m glad) nor any excuse you can think of.  We tend to make the Lord SMALLER than He is.  No matter what your situation is, He can redeem it.  He desires to pour His grace on and in you and lead you to the amazing life He has for you.  Just ask Him. 

Ever heard of Bill Burnett?   An Archbishop in South Africa, Burnett referred to himself as a practical atheist.  Now, folks he was an ARCHBISHOP and he knew all about the Lord.  He knew his “job” and performed as expected . . . then one day the Holy Spirit filled him and his ministry and his very life changed beyond anything he could have imagined.  He didn’t know what he was missing . . . but he sure found out due to God’s grace. 

We don’t either.  We live lives that are sensible and practical and we tell ourselves it’s “good enough” or even try to convince ourselves we have it “better than most” and yet, where is it written in the Bible that our Lord promised us “good enough?”  Everywhere you look are references to His great love and mercy and to His desire to give more than we can desire or pray for.  What to do?  Give yourself over to Him.  It’s not giving up.  That’s for quitters.  It’s a new beginning and a new heart.  He has riches for you that you can’t even imagine.  Why would you walk away from that?  Have a heart – His.  Don’t settle when you can SOAR! 

 

Pentecost – My Favorite Holy Day!

 

Yes, you read it correctly.  My favorite Holy Day or Holiday is PENTECOST.  Before you roll your eyes or shake your head, hear me out. 

]

We have other great days in the year of special significance to Christians, but BUT BUT they also have rather large earthy, human, retail tie-ins.  That being said, Pentecost has no such tie in. It’s all about the Lord and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  Read the beginning of the book of Acts.  We know this amazing story.  The Apostles left their safe place, stepped into the world, and look what happened!  It happens to us as well. 

Ah, but what really gets me excited about this day?  In a rather BIG WAY it represents the beginning of OUR work as the body of Christ.  His chosen ones went about with Him during Jesus’ time on earth in human form.  It could be called an internship, but maybe that label is a bit generous.  However, when the Holy Spirit touched them, the spiritual gifts and responsibilities were poured out and they had jobs to do for Jesus.  We have jobs to do for Him now.  He enabled a bunch of tax collectors and fishermen, and He enables us.  We don’t always feel able, but if we but ask and trust, He will enable us and use us.  How amazing is He???

 

Not Prudent But Blessed?

We know how our Lord felt about children and also that He taught and still teaches us to be childlike.  Here is another interpretation on that very theme: 

The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible – and achieve it, generation after generation.

- Pearl S. Buck -

EMERGENCY PRAYER REQUEST For Baby Khloe

My friend Sue has just found out that her baby granddaughter Khloe is desperately ill.  A complete diagnosis is not yet in but the doctor anticipates that this may be a serious and life threatening illness for the 23 month old. 

I will update my blog when more information is available.  Please pray for the baby, the medical staff caring for her, and for her family that the Lord will shower them with His love, compassion, and healing grace.  PLEASE REBLOG THIS AND SHARE IT WITH ANY PRAYER GROUPS YOU BELONG TO. 

Thanks everyone! 

IMPORTANT:  SEE UPDATE http://inlovewiththelord.wordpress.com/2012/05/28/important-update-on-prayer-needs-for-baby-khloe/

Life At The Edge

Gosh, mountain tops are amazing!  So beautiful, so quiet, so peaceful, so close to God.  Thinking about it gives me that rush I love so much. 

We can’t remain there though.  There’s life down below which must be lived.  What would have become of us if Jesus and His chosen ones stayed in that quiet place away from all the drama?

So, I take leave of my mountain top, or find myself transported from it.  Sad for a time, I change my focus outward and find joy there . . . though I am at the edge of darkness, I can still find joy there, for it is at the edge of the darkness where we discover the Light still shines . . .

 

 

GREAT Things Happen all at ONCE!

Reblogged from KeziahCarrie:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

 

http://s0.wp.com/wp-content/plugins/audio-player/player.swf

Audio Version

     The cell phone rang when I was half way across town running a routine errand. “Our cousin is moving to Florida and he has two horses he wants to give away,” my aunt announced.  ”He’s had offers, but he wants someone who will love them.”

     My heart pounded.  My mind raced.  And then just as quickly, I reasoned my way back to reality.

Read more… 1,014 more words

Wow. I knew about this post, but kept being prevented from getting to read it. Not sure why. Today, I was feeling low and the Lord led me to 3 blog posts which gently raised me up from that place. This story, while about horses, is truly speaking so much more to my heart just as it will to anyone who reads it. I am crying as I write this and it is just as likely that you will cry as you read it. His timing is perfect. He loves us. Spread the Word. Thanks Annette!

I Met Jesus At The MALL!

Yes, you read the title to this post correctly.  I met Jesus at the mall.  NO, it was not the first time we’ve met, but I’d have to say it was the first time I was particularly aware of meeting Him there.  It was amazing!

You have, by now, read other posts related to a recent visit I had from a very dear friend and priest from the northeast who came to my home recently and what a blessing it was for me to have him as my houseguest for a week.  On the evening of his last day here, he needed to have some exercise as he is having  a very difficult time with his knees, hip and back and it seems doctors aren’t much help (pray please, dear readers) and so we set off to the mall. 

I know you are aware of and praying for my vocation and financial provision needs, so when I say I’d not been in the mall in a couple of years, you’ll no doubt understand.  So, off we went at our own pace with agreed upon places and times to reconnect.  I have a foot injury so couldn’t keep pace with my eternally young retired priest friend.  Recalling that the mall used to have a Christian bookstore, I set off to find it.  This turned out to be a challenge in a mall that’s arranged to get you lost inside never to find your way out.  Not only did I have difficulty finding the store, but mall employees seemed doubtful that it existed.  It did. 

Upon finding it, I did advise its solitary employee that perhaps a bit of promotion might be in order.  He greeted me joyfully and in answer to his “how are you today” I cannot say what I replied with, but it’s common for me to slip Jesus into the conversation and my need for a job . . . so common that it comes naturally to me.  He responded with “yes, sister.  How can we be anything but amazing with the Lord in our heart?”  Next thing I knew, hearing my mention of “the only thing that would make it better would be . . . ” related to my financial provision challenge, he stepped from behind the counter, took one of my hands in his own, raised his other hand toward the sky and prayed quite spectacularly for me!  The Holy Spirit was upon him as he prayed knowing truths I never revealed. 

I no longer knew what my intended purpose in coming to his store was.  I was overjoyed at finding Jesus there and literally floated out of the store on the wings of His love for me.  In trusting the Lord to lead, we never know exactly what will be asked of us in the road ahead, and ministry for Him can take many forms.  For this man at the mall, his job as a store clerk is a ministry and this  touched my heart in a big way.  I’m not a fan of shopping malls, I admit, however when I pass one now I will be thinking of Jesus and thanking HIm for always supplying my needs. 

Scripture says to pray without ceasing.  This means, I believe, that we are to invite Jesus into everything in our lives, even something as seemingly mundane as a bit of mall walking!  At all times and in all places, praise Him with a thankful heart!

The Blessing of a Broken Heart

Does the title of this piece sound like a contradiction?  It might.  Stay with me though.  On Sunday I heard an amazing sermon preached by a priest I love very much.  His preaching style is uniquely his own and the Lord has used him to touch my heart and to inspire me in ways no other has.  I am so blessed to call him a friend.  So, as I listened to his message on Sunday I heard it in the way the Lord meant for me to hear it, but also as a friend who knows the man delivering it.  It was filled with personal experience which was so important in teaching us, the listeners, what we were to learn, but I knew the personal parts came from deep in his soul and likely made this harder to deliver than some messages. 

We, as writers, know this feeling in our own hearts as we share our own message about the Lord in our blogs and other media.  However, we are often sharing it with a faceless congregation while my priest had to do this directly before many many people, and harder still I believe is displaying his private “stuff” with people he knows and who know him.  He did it well and hearts were changed, I know.  Mine was.  So, why did I title this post the way I did? 

The wound is the place where the Light enters you.

- Rumi -

I think Rumi understood.  What made the message received on Sunday so special was it’s authenticity.  My priest and friend ripped his heart wide open and we who heard and saw him preach couldn’t help but see Jesus there.  Rumi got it right.  Our human heart needs to be broken wide open so that His light can enter in AND so that His light  can shine on those He gives us to share our heart with for Him.  Our suffering is nothing compared to His . . . and sharing the grace and blessings He bestows on us never depletes our “stash” as He continually pours them on us in such abundance!  What a blessing our broken heart can be when we let Him take up residence there!

With Jesus In My Heart

I am rich!

 

Being rich of heart makes you wealthy beyond compare

- Rodney Williams -