Meeting Needs and Moving Out of Our Comfort Zones

"Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.  Do to others as you would have them do to you."
"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you?  Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungreatful and wicked. Be merciful, just are your Father is merciful." 
 Luke 6:30-36

I have been very troubled today as I have pondered our reactions or lack of reactions as Christians, when we are presented with a need.  We start by analyzing the need - we dissect the need - we make excuses for why the need - we explore why do they need - we spend  unnecessary time and energy trying to JUDGE the need.  Tell me where in scripture does it tell us to do anything to the need except to fulfill it to the best of our abilities.


As stated in Luke 6 it is easy to love those that love us, to do good to those who are good to you, but the scripture also asks us "What credit is that to you?' It says that even sinners lend to sinners, and sinners love those who love them. It is easy to live out your faith when you are doing so with family and friends - but the rubber hits the road when God directs us to live out our faith beyond our self-imposed boundaries. As a believer we are not asked to pass 'judgement' or rate the needs of others, we are commanded to answer the need.  Who are we to "decide".  God is God and we are not.


I am sure that I have not always done what I should have done when God has given me the opportunity to meet a need.  I too, have been the one who dissected the need to death and then in the end ignored it all together.  Shame on me and I have asked the Lord to forgive me for those actions.  It is time as Christians that we grow up and quit only serving and loving each other and reach out to those who need what we can only give them - the Love of Christ. 
 It is an everyday calling to look outside our comfort zones to dare to step over or around that comfort zone.  We have a higher calling - let us begin today to strive towards the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus.

Seven year old - Charlotte

What a special day for us as grand parents, Charlotte celebrated her seventh birthday with us.  We had a delightful day honoring this day of her birth.  She had most of her favorite foods and the cake she wanted was a cookie cake which her Aunt Tiffany ordered and Uncle Brett picked up.  So she was quite the center of attention.  I love birthdays.  I love the fact that of all the days in the year God chose this day for you to be born.   I remember a lot of birthdays and a lot I have forgotten but none the less they remain special to me.  I am blessed to be a mother and now more than blessed to be a Nonnie.  Thank you Lord for this blessing in my life.  Thank you for my husband, children and grands and yes even the grand dogs.

I pray God will bless Charlotte as she grows and matures. I pray she will always seek the Lord in all her ways. I pray for her parents as they raise their family.  I pray for Nonnie & G'daddy as we watch. Love you my purple Charlotte.  Many many blessings to you this day and every day.

Nonnie

PSALM 130 - I Wait for You Lord!!!

Psalm 130

"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;

O Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive

to my cry for mercy.

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,

O Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness,

therefore you are feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, 

and in his word I put my hope, 

My soul waits for the Lord

more than watchmen wait for the morning.

O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, 

for with the Lord is unfailing love

and with him is full redemption.

He himself will redeem Israel

from all their sins."

I continue to wait on the Lord, His direction, His will, His way is what I desire.  Lord help me to wait and not run in front of you.

Blessings & encouragement to all.

WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE

WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE

Sing them over again to me

Wonderful words of life,

Let me more of their beauty see, 

Wonderful words of life;

Words of life and beauty

Teach me faith and duty.

Refrain:

Beautiful words, wonderful words,

Wonderful words of life;

Beautiful words, wonderful words,

Wonderful words of life.

Christ, the blessed One, gives to all

Wonderful words of life;

Sinner, list to the loving call,

Wonderful words of life;

All so freely given,

Wooing us to heaven.

Sweetly echo the Gospel call,

Wonderful words of life;

Offer pardon and peace to all,

Wonderful words of life;

Jesus, only Savior,

Sanctify us forever.

I have been talking about our words this week and this song keeps going through my thoughts. So here are the words.  Jesus, only Savior, Sanctify us forever.  Blessings to you all.

WORDS - ENCOURAGING OR DISCOURAGING

"A few words can uplift, encourage, and do positive things in a person's life and a few words can also put down, discourage, and ruin a person's life.  Please forgive me of allowing any words to leave my mouth that would harm others and dishonor You, O Lord. I pray that my words will be honest and positive; that they will inspire and challenge others to greatness.  Show me who You want me to encourage through my words today. Please help me to affirm someone closed to me today, that they will be blessed and You will be glorified. In Jesus' name I pray, amen."  OS Hillman

Today as I was reading one of the devotions that I get daily I was touched by the prayer that accompanied the devotion.  It caused me to think about the words I say.  Are the words that I say God led? Are they thought through before being spoken?  Sad to say but I fail at both.  I know that encouraging is one of my gifts but do I always encourage the person I am speaking to?  I was reminded as I responded to one of my grand daughters today.  She voiced one of those attitudinal remarks and I responded with my "mother" tone.  I had to stop and reel in the words that were so ready to come flying out of my mouth.  Whoooooo.
The prayer also spoke to me about words that would wound others or dishonor God.  Dishonor God - it is a different way of thinking - that our words could dishonor God or harm others.  We all have been there done that.  If you haven't been the one speaking the words you have heard the words and saw the emotional results of those words.  Lord forgive me.


" Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:5-6


Lord help me to seek the right words spoken in the right way.
Blessings to you all

It's Good to Know I've Still Got It !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can still fix dinner for an 8 & 6 year old while feeding a 10 month old.  Whoop Whoop!!  I haven't had to do that in many many years and it is good to know I can still multi-task in that way.  I have however realized why God gives us children while we are younger.  Having and raising a family is hard work.  I admire all you moms out there weather you have one or a dozen children.  There is literally always something that needs your attention.  I loved being a mom but I also love being a Nonnie, what a blessing.
Our son-in-love had to have an emergency appendectomy today. We are thanking God that surgery went well and he is on the road to recovery.  So Lee & I were called to come and keep children, we were packed and on our way in less than 20 minutes.  So thankful we are close enough to be able to help.
Well I am done for the day and need to go to sleep because I am sleeping with the baby monitor so I will say good night and thanks to all who have been and will continue to pray for us.  Blessings to all and to all a good night!

Disciple Or Believer??

In today's sermon I was challenged - challenged to reevaluate my thinking. The point was made that we as Christians don't always do a good job of making disciples. It seems that through the years we have put more emphasis on being a believer rather than being a believer/disciple.   Even though the two words are similar they are also different - one requires a head knowledge or belief - the other requires a following or learning of - after the head belief.  So I went to the dictionary and found synonyms for both words and this is what I found.             

Believer - acceptor - adherent - convert - devotee - supporter

Disciple - follower - pupil - adherent - learner - apprentice

The words seem similar but I can understand the difference. Believer seems to be more of a mind thing. While disciple, seems to bring with it more of doing than just believing.  More of an active following not just believing, but learning as a pupil, adhering as a change of something in my life. As Christ's apprentice I must model His behavior, thoughts, ways, heart, words etc... 

 The directions of a disciple are:         

                                                          1)   Abide in the Word - John 8:31-32

                                                          2)   Love one another - John 13: 34-35

                                                          3)   Bear fruit - John 15:8

                                                          4)   Pay the price - Matt 16:24 & Luke 14:28

Hebrews 5:11 - 6:1  says - "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.  In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again.  You need milk, not solid food!  Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.  But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.  Therefore let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity, ..."

It's time for us as believer/disciples to leave the milk  and go on to maturity.  To abide in the Word - to love one another - to bear fruit - to pay the price.  Our time is now - God calls us to maturity.  

I pray God will challenge you to move toward maturity.

YOU CANNOT RUSH GOD - Don't try

Quote today from TD Jakes

 "I had to learn a lesson I believe all God's people must learn.  It took God allowing me to experience it first-hand: 

                       

           You simply CANNOT rush God's timing. Don't try it."

As I read this quote today it really resignated deep withing my soul.  Every time in the past when God has asked me to wait I have failed every time.  Each time I have 'waited on God', I 'waited on God' until I couldn't stand it anymore.

Then I would begin to try and manipulate God and His timing.  I was thinking all the while that I needed to help God's plan along.  Oh to be so prideful to think that He needed my input.  I would pray & pray recounting all the facts of the situation before an ALL knowing God.  What was I thinking? I wonder now of all the missed opportunities and dreams I have removed from my life because I could not wait.  Like a spoiled child I would whine and whine to my God like when I was a child and whining to my parents.  It did no good then and I don't think it does any good now.  How old do I have to be before I get this lesson down?

God has given me another chance and I pray that I don't blow it again.  I am waiting for His direction in my life right now.  My prayer is that I won't rush or whine to God.  Praying I will stay in the word and continue doing those things that He has already shown me to do.  Deepening my love and relationship with Him through prayer and Bible study.  

So if you find yourself in God's waiting room - allow Him to have His way in your life, cling to Him, don't whine, fall in love with Jesus more and more each day, and continue in those things that you already know to do.

Blessings in Abundance, Debbie

God Arms us With Strength

As for God, his way is perfect;
     the word of the Lord is flawless.
He is a shield
     for all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the Lord?
     And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength.
     and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
     he enables me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle,
     my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You give me your shield of victory,
     You stoop down to make me great.
You broaden the path beneath me,
     so that my ankles do not turn.
2 Samuel 2:31-37

Lovely Day

Today was just one of those days that you would like to go on and on.  The temp was just right, the sky was just the right color, a slight breeze.... just one of the porch rocking days.  Taking time to enjoy God's creation is a gift, from the creator to us.  His handiwork was abundant today as it is everyday.  I am thankful for the beauty around me and the persons He places here for us to share it with.  Just a challenge, when God gives you time to stop and enjoy the world in which we live, do it, don't put it off, don't delay.  Thanking God for the gift of today and those that shared it with me.

All the Way My Savior Leads Me

May these be the words of my heart.

All the way my Savior leads me;

  What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

  Who through life has been my Guide?

Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,

  Here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know, whate'er befall me,

  Jesus doeth all things well,

For I know, whate'er befall me,

  Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,

  Cheers each winding path I tread,

Gives me grace for every trial,

  Feeds me with the living bread.

Though my weary steps may falter,

  And my soul athirst may be,

Gushing from the Rock before me,

  Lo! a spring of joy I see,

Gushing from the Rock before me,

  Lo! a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me;

  Oh, the fullness of His grace!

Perfect rest to me is promised

  In my Father's blest embrace.

When my spirit, clothed immortal,

  Wings its flight to realms of day,

This my song through endless ages:

  Jesus led me all the way,

This my song through endless ages:

  Jesus led me all the way.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/701#ixzz1rboP4tiY

Wonderful Day

From beginning to end today has been wonderful.  It began at 5 when the alarm went off and we got up to go to sunrise service. As we left the house a large full moon greeted us as it was setting in the west. Moon setting, sun rising - what a perfect day to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord.  It was a cool crisp morning and as watched in anticipation for the sun rise I thought of what the women saw on that morning as they were on their way to the tomb.  I also thought of Jesus in the tomb alone - or was He alone?  Dark or did He fill the tomb with radiant light? What thoughts were going through the soldiers minds? As I looked at the three crosses behind the preacher and daybreak just behind them, I was humbled and felt small in the scheme of eternity.

Celebrated my Birthday in the midst of all this - felt very blessed as I heard from all my children and many friends and relatives.  It was a wonderful day.  Thank you all for making it so very special.

As this day comes to a close I want the thank God for giving me another year and for sending Jesus to die for me, and thank Jesus for going to the cross for me, and for rising victorious on the third day.
 Hallelujah Christ Arose!

Saturday - The Space Between

I can say with all honesty that Easter has always been one of my favorite times of year.  Some years it actually falls on my birthday as it does this year.  As a child Easter was a time of celebration not celebrating the risen Lord but a celebration of spring. Spring, the Easter bunny, dyeing eggs, my birthday, ham dinner, hot cross buns, new dress, new shoes & socks, new purse were all things I looked forward at Easter time when I was growing up.  Easter was the one Sunday out of the year that I was taken to church by my Grandmother.  So Easter was a special time of year for me.

It was not until I became a Christian that Easter took on a whole new meaning to me.  For the first time I began to realize the significance of Easter.  What Jesus' death, burial & resurrection means to us as Christians.  As the years began to unfold, each year we would study more and more about this Holy week and all that went along with it.  I was an open vessel and soaked up all I could. This year I was challenged to really study and think about each day of Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. So began Holy Week
April 2012.

I have blogged previously this week about some of the rest of Holy Week but today find my thoughts on Holy Saturday the day between - The Space Between.  The silence of God. A time to pause, to breathe.  It is a day of silence,emptiness and loneliness. A difficult day, an uncomfortable day but a very necessary day.
The disciples hiding, alone, their minds filled with images of the previous day.  The trial, the beating, crown of thorns, the pain inflicted, the half dead man forced to carry his cross, the long trek to Calvary with the screaming throngs.  Some had watched as they nailed Jesus to the cross, put the nails in his hands & feet. Watch as his torn body is thrust erect and the cross is placed in the ground. Images of Jesus dying, the day being as night, the earth's moaning, the sights & sounds they will never forget.  Jesus as he says 'It is Finished' and then breathed his last earthly breath.  Removing Jesus from the cross, the tomb, the sealing of the tomb by the Roman soldiers the disciples were reeling with images and emotions, emotions and images.

Emptiness and quiet replace the screaming throngs, the pain, the noise the confusion of Friday.  All is silent - silent while they - silent while we - have time to breathe - time to absorb.  The living God has been with them and now the living God is silent.  Uncomfortable - uneasy the shock of death - the questions 'What next?' -'Where do we go from here?'  Silence, quiet we wait, we prepare ourselves with prayer.  Void, darkness, doubt, uncertainty and fear, all this must be felt before we can see the light and love of the 'Risen Lord'.

I know that I have spent many Easter seasons rushing headlong to the resurrection not stopping to understand, to experience, the place between.  The space between the starkness of Friday and the reality of  Saturday.  We must know the weight of loss and the promise of new life, and as dawn approaches we must let it enter into the 'space' carved out by loss.  After the events of yesterday, it is hard to believe we will know joy again.

In our life's journey we all those times of -"The Space Between", the void between.  I am learning to embrace the "Space Between", as it prepares me for the time of "Resurrection".  Blessings to you today and tomorrow as you celebrate our "Risen Lord".  May you ponder and remember the "Space Between".

Maundy Thursday

We all have those ‘days’, those ‘days’ we mark as significant. As we think back on this Thursday of Holy Week, we can see that this was a day of significance in the life of the disciples. Thursday of Holy Week or Maundy Thursday is one of those days.

 The previous Sunday, we saw Jesus enter Jerusalem as a king riding on a donkey as the people waved palm branches and shouted ‘Hosanna’ – ‘Hosanna in the Highest!’ This was fulfilling an ancient prophecy from Zec 9:9. and Psalm 118:25-26. On Monday Jesus cleared the temple of the money changers and overturned tables and drove them from the temple, Tuesday Jesus taught parables and warned the people against the Pharisees.  Wednesday was a day of rest.

On Thursday in the upper room Jesus prepares himself and his disciples for his death.  As they were reclining at the table the Lord rose and took off his outer clothes and wrapped a towel around his waist.  After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet. Then returning to his place, he asked, “Do you understand what I have done for you? Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. What an example of humility and service to one another?” 

During the Passover meal Jesus gives further instructions to his disciples, he breaks the bread and tells them that “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me”.  And in the same way he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant, in my blood, which is poured out for you, drink.  This began what we as Christians call – Communion.

Finally during that ‘Last Supper’ he also gave the disciples an new commandment – “And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

Nothing Jesus ever did was without meaning or significance for those whom lived during that time or for us as Jesus’ followers today.  Remember the price Jesus paid for our sins.  Remember His instructions to us as believers on how we should live.  Highly blessed and favored are we.

Scriptures from: Matthew 26:17-30     Mark 14:12-26

                         Luke 22:7-23            John 13:1-30

Our God Sings Over Us!!!!!

“The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing”. Zephaniah 3:17

Being blessed recently to spend time with my grand-daughters, I took great delight in them, when they were sad I wanted to quiet them with my love and all the while rejoicing over them.  This time spent with them reminded me of our relationship with God.

Do you know that you are that special to God??

Do you know that He is mighty to save?

That He takes great delight in you?

That He will quiet you with His love?

That He rejoices over you with singing?

The God of the universe, the maker of everything loves you and loves you passionately.  He truly is mighty to save and you are His delight and He will quiet you with His love.

He rejoices over YOU! with singing.

No one loves you like God loves you. Can you catch a glimpse of Him?

Do you know Him better today than you did yesterday?

Get to know the God who delights in you.

It will change you forever.

Our God Sings Over Us!!!!!

“The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing”. Zephaniah 3:17

Being blessed recently to spend time with my grand-daughters, I took great delight in them, when they were sad I wanted to quiet them with my love and all the while rejoicing over them.  This time spent with them reminded me of our relationship with God.

Do you know that you are that special to God??

Do you know that He is mighty to save?

That He takes great delight in you?

That He will quiet you with His love?

That He rejoices over you with singing?

The God of the universe, the maker of everything loves you and loves you passionately.  He truly is mighty to save and you are His delight and He will quiet you with His love.

He rejoices over YOU! with singing.

No one loves you like God loves you. Can you catch a glimpse of Him?

Do you know Him better today than you did yesterday?

Get to know the God who delights in you.

It will change you forever

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

        When I survey the wondrous cross

        on which the Prince of Glory died;

        my richest gain I count but loss,

        and pour contempt on all my pride.

        Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

        save in the death of Christ, my God;

        all the vain things that charm me most,

        I sacrifice them to his blood.

       

        See, from his head, his hands, his feet,

        sorrow and love flow mingled down.

        Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,

        or thorns compose so rich a crown.

        Were the whole realm of nature mine,

        that were an offering far too small;

        love so amazing, so divine,

        demands my soul, my life, my all.

As I ponder on the events of Holy Week in my mind's eye

I keep seeing the cross.

The cross, rugged, ugly, rough, heavy, torturous, mean –

And yet as Christians it is beautiful to us.

For it was on that old cross Jesus suffered and died –

                   for you 

                   for me 

                   for the whole world. 

Thank you Jesus for loving me that much.

Have you thanked Him? If not thank Him today

and remember what He gave for us.

Holy Week - Focusing on the Cross

1. I must needs go home by the way of the cross,
   There’s no other way but this;
   I shall ne’er get sight of the Gates of Light,
   If the way of the cross I miss.
   • Refrain:
     The way of the cross leads home,
     The way of the cross leads home;
     It is sweet to know, as I onward go,
     The way of the cross leads home.
2. I must needs go on in the blood-sprinkled way,
   The path that the Savior trod,
   If I ever climb to the heights sublime,
   Where the soul is at home with God.
3. Then I bid farewell to the way of the world,
   To walk in it nevermore;
   For my Lord says, “Come,” and I seek my home,
   Where He waits at the open door.

The way of the cross for me leads home.  Leads home to where my heart is. Leads home to Jesus. Leads home to Heaven. Leads home to loved ones I long to see again. Leads home to joy - love - peace - contentment - ............ Does the cross lead you home?  I pray so.

Palm Sunday

My April resolution is to add something to “My Heart to Yours” daily.  It is an attempt in obedience that I feel God is speaking to me about.  

So with that said: Sunday April 1^st. Today is “Palm Sunday” a day we as Christians celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the beginning of “Holy Week”.   In the sermon this morning we had visual slides to help us picture what that day might have been like. We viewed Jerusalem, from the Mount of Olives, viewed the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem, and were able to see the steepness of the terrain.  We read the scriptures from Luke 19:28-40.  Two questions were asked of us – How much of God’s plan do we misunderstand?  - What kind of praise to we bring to Jesus? 

Both questions spoke to my heart.   I am very good at misunderstanding God’s work in my life, mainly because I want “His” work to be tailored made “by me”.  Not allowing the Holy Spirit to have full access to all the dark closets of my heart, not wanting to be exposed for the sinner that I am.  Misunderstanding events and circumstances that God allows in my life, knowing that everything He allows to have access to me is for my good, for my growth.  Instead I am guilty of sulking, whining, pouting and outright disrespect for my Saviors work in my life.  Forgive me Father.

The second question – What kind of praise do we bring to Jesus?  As we were challenged by the sermon is our praise – visual – is it joyful – is it Biblical?  I always want my praise to be this way.  Perhaps not all at the same time, but yet yes, at the same time. A few years ago while I was attending a women’s conference I promised the Lord that if His spirit led me to be openly demonstrative with my praise, then I would be obedient.  What a freedom has overwhelmed my praise since that time, I no longer worry what “others” think because it really doesn’t matter, it only matters to the one that the praise belongs to – JESUS.  So today I say:

 “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! 
      Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! 
  See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, 
        lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 

“ Zechariah 9:9