Growing Pains

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven -- Ecclesiastes 3:1

Something we all know, but not all readily accept. From losing a loved one, a relationship, a job; it all causes a wide range of emotions. 

Sometimes, just the thought of stepping out of our comfort zone brings out the fight or flight instinct. Jonah is a great example of this. God told him to step out of his comfort zone, to head to Nineveh and teach the people the good news. But Jonah tried to flee his calling. We all know how well that ended. Yet, when Jonah finally listened to instruction, God was with him and gave him everything he needed to complete the task. Thousands were saved.

Let's face it, we have all felt the whispering. We have all felt us being drawn to do things that make us very frightened, possibly leave a job, or move on from a dark relationship that we have grown comfortable in, and we've all turned a deaf ear to those whispers at one tine or another. 

 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God -- Romans 8:14

God wants all of His children to not only follow Him, but spread the good news to others who have not accepted the truth and the gift of unconditional love that He has for everyone.

If you would, please notice the date of the last entry before this one. 2018. It is 2023. Five years has passed. So many moments have come and gone, both good and bad. And here is its, five years later, and that tugging on my heart has returned so strong. 

I am very fearful of striking up a "Do you know Jesus?" conversation with someone I either know or don't know, and that fear has caused moments to pass by me, moments that I could have planted seeds in someone, seeds that God could have sowed into a  beautiful relationship. 

The doubts, oh the doubts. What if the person I am peaking to asks questions that I cant answer? Something I have heard repeated time and time again - God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called. 

Jeremiah 1:9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "I have put my words in your mouth." 

My biggest problem: I am never around a bunch of people, so exactly how am I going to spread the word? On this question I prayed, and asked God for clarity and courage. That very night, I remembered this site. So, I dusted off the old laptop - quite literally, and opened it up. 

As if I needed further confirmation, I find this half written post as a draft. A post about listening to God's instruction. Nothing is coincidence. 

God allows all words spoken in His name be heard by those who need to hear it, whether is be my your vocal chords or your keyboard. I may be mostly home bound, but there are many others in my same predicament who still need to know that God loves them and sent His son to this earth to die for all of our sins.

They need to know that all they have to do is admit they are a sinner and repent and ask Jesus into their heart. It really is that simple.As simple as opening up and 5 year blog, and finding the voice for Jesus I needed.

 

 

A Tale of Two Lives and Deaths

March 23rd began and ended very similarly.

I had only been up for a few hours when a friend texted me to tell me that a mutual acquaintance, someone who used to mean significantly more to each of us had died nearly two weeks earlier. A felt such a wide range of emotions, from shock (he was 47), to sadness, to anger and disbelief..

I did what I usually do when discovering the passing of someone - I scoured the internet for their obituary.

I found a two sentence death notice.

So and so, 47, passed away March 12, 2018. Arrangements being made by this funeral home.

I looked to the funeral home. The more I looked, the more I realized, he had no other memorial.

No lengthy obituary, speaking of his life.

No memorial service held. I began thinking about him.

As a young man, he had several close knit friends that he entered into adulthood with, and happy memories. He had friends, like me, who cared very deeply for him. Then as life went on and he made poor choices in relationships, he became depressed and evermore bitter. He pushed everyone who cared from his life and was left  alone.

Then he got cancer.

Instead of being treated when diagnosed, he waited over a year before beginning treatment, for his own twisted  reasons.

It brought to mind 2 Corinthians 5:10 - For we all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

I thought, what is God going to say to him, since he seemingly squandered the gift of life that he was given?

I felt to heartsick that this man, who lived and breathed on this earth, basically disappeared like a vapor, as if he were never here.

We are called to "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." -- Mark 16:15

 I know he knew Jesus. I remember as teens, he had a wooden cross hanging from the rear-view mirror of his truck. He was not ashamed of the gospel. Then the tides turned, and he turned his back on everyone who cared, including his heavenly father.

As my mind was still reeling from this, I was getting ready to head to bed, when  I get a call that my uncle died very suddenly and unexpectedly.

The shock and sorrow were overwhelming. I immediately think about those suffering from his loss - his wife, my Mom, who he had kept in close contact with, especially since my grandmother passed many years ago.

I see many online today, telling his wife just how special he was, Even in these last several years, he regularly traveled to help another aunt and her husband who are in ill health, even while experiencing his own health challenges. He regularly called dozens and dozens of people in the small town where  he lived, because he knew they needed someone to check in on them, someone to care.He had just enough to live comfortably, but would give anyone everything they had if they needed it.

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. -- Matthew 5:16

My uncle had a beautiful heart. So many benefited from it. So many people will feel his loss here on earth. I've heard plenty of stories about the rebellious things he did in his formative years that I know he and God will be chatting about, but I can't wait to see him again and see the crown full of jewels he gets to lay at Jesus' feet.

Two lives, both that had meant a lot to me at various stages of my own life. Two deaths that I became aware of on the same day. Two very different sets of emotions that led to the same decision.

You are a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes. -- James 4:14

We are all here but for a blink in time.

What kind of impact are you making?

Are you spreading God's love and planting seeds?

I want to serve my heavenly father. While leaving a legacy is not the goal, living a godly life of meaning is. In honor of my uncle's memory, I plan to do just that. May it not take the loss of another to remind me again.
 

The Conviction of Judgement

"Judge not, that ye not be judged." Matthew 7:1

This is one verse that is the most quoted on a day to day basis, by believers and those who have never even cracked the cover of a bible.

As humans, we tend to judge others. Many times, we are hardest on those who we love the most. Maybe its because we want so much for them to be as perfect in our eyes as they are in our hearts. Maybe its because we live in fear of their actions to reflect poorly on ourselves. Neither is an acceptable reason, as God's word warns us.

"  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Matthew 7:2

My heart has been extremely heavy with this very subject  as of late, being convicted once more last night with yet another family member. I had harshly judged a younger member of the family. seeing her as selfish. Now, years later, God gently opened my eyes to the situation leading up to the action I judged her for, and I was humbled to my core. I had no idea. All I knew in this moment was I was wrong.

This past spring, a similar situation happened with another family member that I was accusing of being selfish. When she told me what led to her behavior, it brought tears to my eyes. I couldn't imagine the pain that had the explanation catch in her throat. The conviction was real.

"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" Matthew 7:3

Its amazing how God reveals things to you. I had been judgmental for years to another family member and the way he lived his life. I thought he was bitter, angry and lazy. Then I finally became well again after slowly declining over a number of years, and now look back on mt own actions while I was sick. They mirror his. The realization took my breath away. 

I had another close family member who had also been ill for longer than I realized until I realized the resentment I had secretly harbored against him was the same judgment I had given to the pervious mentioned person. 

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven". Luke 6:37

As humans, we still fall short of the glory of God every day, and being so hard on our families is something that inevitably falls into this category. But praise God we have been washed in the blood of forgiveness and our Heavenly father forgives our inequities.We need to apply this same forgiveness to those we judge, because we do not know the whole story. If you don't, God will reveal the truth to you eventually, so be ready for the conviction.

If you have anyone you have been judging, pray for God's revelation, intervention and grace. He wants you to have the peace that comes with a non-judgmental heart. He will gladly lead you to it if you only ask.

We Can Learn A Lot From A Tulip

For Valentine's Day, my husband gave me a pot of red tulips. Over the start of the week, we watched the stems soar and the petals start to open to beautiful ruby cups, and I asked him to put the plant on top of the entertainment center, but to turn the blossoms away from the window. He asked why, and I explained that flowers will bend and each for the light source from where they are.

We began to talk about how we as Christians should always turn toward the light (seek God) ourselves. I hadn't realized how blossoms from most, if not all, plants really do mimic how we should lead our lives.

Just like anyone, flowers can begin in ideal environments, to hostile ones, seeds possibly scattered by the wind or a wayward bird, to a rocky, dark harsh beginning. These flowers could still flourish, if they stretch and reach for the light - seeking the warmth, comfort and nourishment it can provide.

There are many who, at whatever season of their lives, find themselves immersed in the darkness, with little hope. We need to remember to seek the light.

--if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

No matter how many times you turn a flower pot, the stems will begin to stretch back toward the light, bending the other direction over the days to follow. The determination and instinct is incredible. If our faith be as strong, our rewards will be great.

-- And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Anytime you feel the darkness creeping into your thoughts, your actions, just stop and smell the flowers and let them gently remind you to turn toward the light...always.



 

Powerful

Raised in a Christian home, I was taught at a young age to pray. Pray at mealtime. Pray at bedtime. But, like a lot of young Christians, I had to grow closer to God and get deeper in His word to find prayer's hidden power.

You see Daniel demonstrate it in Daniel 6:10 -

Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.

You read any number of times that Moses prays to God, like in  Exodus 17: 4-6 - 

 So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “What shall I do to this people? A little more and they will stone me.” ⁵ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. ⁶ Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

There are so many examples, but none are more profound on the heart than those that happen to you, and they do.

When you just sit and think about prayer, its the sweetest, most genuine conversation you will ever have in your life, with your creator. With the one who loves you more than any other. Ever. With the one, the only one, who can make anything happen. Its enough to take your breath away, such an amazing gift to have an unbreakable, an unifiable connection with our heavenly father. 

And yet, so many of us don't use this gift to its full extent. We only pray, as we were originally taught, at mealtime, at bedtime. We miss the opportunity for guidance, for comfort, all throughout every day, through every sleepless night. We miss the chance for private celebration, for grace, for healing. 

There was a time I wouldn't ask  for prayers from others. It was the same sort of pride you get all puffed up with over asking someone for help. Then, in a Sunday School class, I was the recipient of prayer over a medical scare and it was transforming. I felt the love of my classmates pour over me as I watched a miracle with my health take over my body. It was a breathtaking experience that I am forever grateful for. It was also when I truly realized that as I got on my knees for my friends and loved ones, I can humbly ask for intersession as well, for there is nothing sweeter than carrying another's burdens before the throne. 

The closer your walk becomes with the Lord, the more of these payers you will see fulfilled, in ways you could never imagine. Your heart will overflow from the power. Who else but our God could makes us stronger by bringing us to our knees? 


Mark 11:24  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Love and Prayers,

Pam

Cuts Like A...Pair of Scissors?

It's been far too long. I'm hoping that won't happen again. I woke this morning with such a renewed spirit of the Lord in my heart I jut felt like shouting it from the rooftop. In suburban America at 6:50 in the morning, this is likely the more optimum choice.

I wanted to share the devotional I just got done reading and intertwine my thoughts and feelings in it if you don't mind.

Today's Scripture: Ephesians 4:22,24
^"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Sometimes we get the impression that the Christian life consists mainly of negative prohibitions. These are definitely an important part of our spiritual discipline, as attested by the fact that eight of the Ten Commandments are prohibitions. We need the prohibitions set forth not just in the Ten Commandments but in all the life-application sections of the New Testament. Indwelling sin needs the constant restraint of being denied its gratification. 

This is also how the world sees our views on most everything - that we come against widely accepted things in society and just hate those who are involved so much that we judge them to be horrible people and think they should be denied what others feel are their rights. Buts when it comes to ourselves and the toll it takes on us personally, well, read on...

The Christian life, however, should also be directed toward positive expressions of Christian character. All of Paul's ethical teaching is characterized by this twofold approach of putting off the old self and putting on the new self (as in Ephesians 4:21-24.)

One thing as Christians I feel like we allow other influences to make this an even more difficult experience. No one said this would be easy. Think of the pressure a single lump of coal must of through for some many years to become a bright and shiny diamond, or the unbearable heat that steel must be melted at in order to forge out impurities to become more pure and stronger. We have our on difficult journey that we each walk in order to get closer to our savior each day. How we handle ourselves with each step is being scrutinized by other believers and the lost alike. 

 I like to think of this twofold approach as represented by the two blades of a pair of scissors. A single scissors blade is useless as far as doing the job for which it was designed. The two blades must work in conjunction with each other to be effective. And we must work both at putting off the characteristics of our old selves and putting on the characteristics of the new selves. One without the other is not effective.

This is a brilliant comparison, don't you think? My biggest weakness here would be the struggle to synchronize the movements. Fortunately, this isn't something I have to figure out on my own. Jesus is here, holding my hand every step of the way. 

 Some believers seem to focus on putting off sinful practices but give little attention to what they are to put on. Too often their lives become hard and brittle and probably self-righteous, because they tend to equate godliness with a defined list of "don'ts." other believers tend to focus on putting on certain positive traits such as love, compassion, and kindness, but they can become careless in morality and ethics. We need the dual focus of "putting off" and "putting on" —each should receive equal attention from us.

This is a balancing act that thankfully doesn't have to be as difficult as me make it. As long as we rely on the power of prayer, immerse ourselves in God's holy word every day and keep our dialogue open with our Lord, our walk will become stronger, and the very harmony that we seek will shine like a beacon from us and will make it possible for Him to be seen in us by others. 

Let today be your first day. Snip- Snip!

Love and Prayers,

Pam

Text in boldface font is taken from today's Jerry Bridges Devotional, as seen here. Italics is my own opinions and thoughts as a growing child of Christ.

Mr. President, Have You Ever Read Proverbs 31?

“Sometimes, someone, usually mom, leaves the workplace to stay home with the kids, which then leaves her earning a lower wage for the rest of her life as a result. And that’s not a choice we want Americans to make,” Obama said.

There have been many things that I've not met eye to eye with when it comes to the current leadership in our country, but none has ever struck me so personally as the statement above. Because of this, I would like to respond, in a more personal way.

Mr. President, I would like to do a bible study with you this morning, in Proverbs 31. In case you are not familiar with the chapter, it is what most of us who leave the workplace to stay at home use to aspire to in our seemingly insignificant roles.

31:10

A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.

 

By providing her husband with the respect and comfort that only she can, he is free to work hard with less stress, able to be the provider that God intended him to be for his family.

 
¹³ She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.

 

 There is no economist on your staff that could out-pinch a penny from a frugal Mom. By working hard for her family, harder than she ever would in the corporate workplace, she keeps the economy flowing and the comfort coming to her loved ones, without a second thought to being laid off or her salary being cut.

 
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.

 

Do these verses mean she has gone out to work and left her family behind? To the contrary, she draws her family closer by using her spiritual gifts from the Lord to create extra income for her family. all while being ever present when she is needed by them.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.

 

She has a heart like the God she serves, and willingly helps those less fortunate than she is. She denies no one, but works harder to make sure there is always enough to go around.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

 

She always finds a way to keep her family warm and safe, relying not on her own virtues, but in the promises that her God has given her, and there is no comfort like His. 

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.

 

 There is no wage on earth that will compare to those earned by her as she works from her heart to provide everything she can to those that mean the most to her.

 
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

 

 No matter how hard she is working, there seems to always be this stigma that makes what she does seems so insignificant. I am just ever thankful that there are no insignificant people in my Savior's eyes.

 
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,

    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

 

  Her job is so much more than a full time job, is it a career and lifestyle that she is blessed to have. It will earn her far more than a mere paycheck, She will be responsible for shaping the future citizens of our country, setting the tone for her husband's success in the workplace, and allowing the lost in her life to see Jesus shine each and every day.

 

It is my prayer each morning that I emulate the Proverbs 31 Woman, and now, that more young women growing up listen to their hearts and find this path as well, despite your belief that this is not the direction we want to take as a country, because I truly feel that if we don't, the country that was built on these values is quickly coming to an end.

 

Good day, Mr. President.

 

Love and Prayers,

 

Pam