Confirmation

When Andy Austin arranged for me to give a talk at St.Timothy's Anglican Church in September 2009, I was trying to hear God about how to tell people what He (The Lord) was doing in my life. I hoped that what I was learning through this wilderness was something that could be beneficial to others. That Sunday was the first of several talks that I did in 2009. I was really surprised when the ladies of St.Timothy's asked me to help them by speaking on Sunday at their womens' retreat last weekend. As I prayed about this request, I felt that loving hand of God showing me that He was ordering my steps and had surprise plans ahead. I went to the retreat for the entire weekend. I again felt led that it was as much about getting to know these women as it was what I was going to say. I arrived to a warm greeting, which immediately settled any nervousness about not knowing anyone. As the weekend progressed, I was honored to hear their stories and how many had survived wilderness journeys. I am more convinced that ever that our God is a master weaver and He is making all of our stories into a beautiful tapestry that will provide for us more than we can ask or imagine. I left the weekend with some more great friends. Listen to Psalm 90:11-17."Who understands the power of your anger and your fury, according to the fear that is due you?So teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom. Do return, O Lord, How long will it be? And be sorry for Your sevants. O satisfy us in the morning with your lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days You have afflicted us. And the years we have seen evil. Let Your work appear to you servants and Your majesty to their children. LET THE FAVOR OF THE LORD OUR GOD BE UPON US:AND CONFIRM FOR US THE WORK OF OUR HANDS:YES CONFIRM THE WORK OF OUR HANDS. He is confirming the work of all our hands but we continue to pray for more confirmation.

Unfinished

The stories that most of us repeat are from our past. Example: "There was a time when Brad was 6 and he and Billy rode bikes around the block. Brad fell and broke his jaw in three places. This was my due date for Hayley and I was tramatized with my child having to be in surgery and have his jaw wired. The end of the story is that God healed Brad quickly and Hayley had a safe delivery." When I see God's faithfulness in the past , the current stories that are unfinished have the same understanding. Problems come when I put a time frame on this ending of the story. I want to be free from the pain of this grief and daily missing Billy. Every anniversary or birthday is a reminder that he isn't here. Did I tell you that his birthday is April 22? I spend a lot of time praying and thanking the Lord that I will see Billy again in Heaven, that God will finish the work that He is doing in me and my family, that the Lord is with me, watching me, guiding me. Even though the final ending is wonderful, I have to work hard to let the daily stories have good conclusions. I have to take my thoughts captive to allow my emotions to retain more positive than negative. The story for today includes, reading the Bible with Ava, taking some groceries to Hayley ( Tyler is sick),seeing a deer run across my property just now, appreciating my good health today, and thanking God that the printer for the computer is working, and yes, talking and praying with Carol. I pray that we can leave our hands open to receive the good that God is doing for us today and continue to release the difficult. I love you, My Friends.

Jesus is Enough

I hunger and thirst for the face of Lord, for the hugs of the Father, for the love I feel for them to grow. I appreciate the small things and the large things that They, with the Holy Spirit, provide for me. I depend on Them for everything. Apart from God, I have nothing. Yet, I will enjoy the children this Easter and appreciate the health and provision that we enjoy. There is always an awareness of this gap between my weak understanding and my hope for the future. Today reminds me that Jesus was willing to go to the cross for my future. I cannot hold that gift lightly.I am willing to pick up my crosses daily to serve others as a token of my love and appreciation for Jesus and the Father and the Holy Spirit's commitment to me and all that I love.
Love is never easy. Love costs. Love is serving, giving, giving up, waiting, choosing good feelings and words over the negative. Love is not complaining. Jesus never complained about having to lay His life down for us. Lord, grant us all more strength in our inner being to serve you and others with gladness and singleness of heart. He has Risen. He has Risen. He has Risen.