tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77188722593886988542023-07-17T22:08:17.400-07:00Candle: A Passion For Him , Light To The WorldThe single passion of my life is Jesus! I believe we were created by a God of intellect, creativity, joy, and exuberance! His love for us was spoken in the dawn and painted in the sunset. That same love of God sings to us in the wind and soars with the birds of the air. Joyous with color it blooms in the flowers and explodes in the trees. Yet in no other form has it been expressed as it was in the person of His Son. There is just something about Him! He is the Light!
We are but candles...It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-72606680263064104152009-04-22T16:28:00.000-07:002009-04-22T16:35:05.407-07:00God our RockIn a magazine this week I learned of a Chinese tradition. Somewhere on the coast there are two large rocks...one rock is taller and larger than the other. Bhuddist Monks call them the marriage rocks and every year they bind these rocks together with a number of heavy inter-twinned ropes. They call the husband rock ...the larger more stable rock.<br /><br />I was reminded upon reading this of the many times the Lord is called our Rock. The waters crash against those rocks. Storms hit the coastline and yet the ropes remain<br />constant. The dawn comes and goes. Sunsets fade and still they are there. It comforts me to know that the Lord is our strong Rock. We may go through storms or rain or heat, but still He stands beside us! Our amazing ROCK!<br /><br />He is the Rock who is higher than I!It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-69250011066260905312009-03-30T23:52:00.001-07:002009-03-31T00:09:01.259-07:00FriendsGod has given me such wonderful friends! I often try to picture Christ walking <br />with the Disciples. Can you imagine watching Christ heal a blind man? Can you<br />imagine hearing him share about the Kingdom of Heaven? Can you see him calm the <br />storm?<br /><br />My mind then goes to the friends God has given to me. Friends who helped put me<br />through college, friends who prayed me through lonely times, friends who laughted<br />with me at camp, friends who stayed up all night at slumber parties...what would we<br />do without friends. I have been a bit silent the past couple weeks because I have<br />entered the world of Facebook. It really has been a time of rejoicing for me...as I <br />had lost track of so many people I love. In the past few weeks I have heard from<br />Barbara who was like an older sister to me through college. Then there was Judi a<br />very special Pastor's Wife and Mentor. Scott who was my team leader on campus at Clemson University. Dan who did training seminars with me at Pensacola. Jane who<br />was a co-worker in CEF. Carrie who was one of my pupils. Julie who had been a teen I took with me traveling on Deputation for a summer...now she has three children!<br />Mike and Cindy who opened their home to me and had me live with them for a year.<br /><br />Each person opens pages of a book to me! It hss been thrilling to chat with each<br />one by way of email! Such a small tool...but it has given me a broader family and<br />allowed me to see relationships restored!<br /><br />I believe it is Susan Polis Schulz who has said that 'friends sift through the chaff of your life and find the good'. How I praise Him for such dear friends who through the seasons of life have encouraged me on. How grateful for that priviledge<br />of being a friend to another. How awesome the task of being appointed a "Friend".It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-24036767926745485342009-03-11T08:28:00.000-07:002009-03-11T08:49:23.143-07:00MeditationI Chronicles 23:30-31 "They are to stand every morning and to thank and<br />to praise the LORD, and likewise at evening, and to offer all burnt offerings<br />to the LORD, on the Sabbaths, the new moons and the fixed festivals" NASB<br /><br />Several days ago I read this passage in morning devotions. I have been<br />mulling on it since...<br /><br />My dog Meah woke me up today to tell me it was time for her to go out. As<br />I sleepily pulled clothes on and grabbed her leash, I stepped out the door<br />into the most delightful symphony! It was still dark. Light was just faintly<br />appearing in the sky. Yet from the forest behind the house...the birds<br />were singing the most beautiful songs of praise to God.<br /><br />It was such a compelling joy to hear them that I sat down on the swing and<br />with Meah (my black lab) at my feet, I quietly took in the praise! And with<br />their background of beautiful sound I watched the dawn come across the sky<br />and set it ablaze with glowing light. <br /><br />What a time the Levites must have had as they stood every morning and praised<br />God and again at evening! I need to join with them to praise His name! <br /><br />A few years ago I saw a movie where angels were shown to stand on the beach<br />every morning facing the sunrise and the heavens as day dawned. They did the <br />same at the top of cities during the day and again at night by the beach. Though<br />that account is fictional...it did give me a picture of how many angels must<br />be around us at all times if we could see them. Yet I was reminded of it<br />again today thinking of them standing in the morning, at noon and in the evening.<br /><br />The Muslim people pray 7 times a day toward Mecca. Yet as Christians...I <br />wonder what people might do...if the witnessed our standing twice a day to<br />praise the Lord?</span></span>It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-52746962059846182012009-03-11T08:15:00.000-07:002009-03-11T08:27:16.343-07:00Song To JesusCondemned by willful sin am I<br />O Blessed Jesus -God's Delight!<br />Why should the Pure and Sinless Lamb<br />Die for the wretched soul I am!<br /><br />Chorus<br /><br />O Heaven's High and Glorious King<br />Accept the feeble gift I bring!<br />Of All I am and all I have<br />Thine by the blood of Christ the Lamb!<br /><br />Chorus<br /><br />And when on Heaven's shore I stand<br />My praise of Him shall never end!<br />For I'm forgiven, pure and clean<br />Because of Jesus' Offering!<br /><br /><br />Chorus<br /><br />Holy, Redeemer, Saviour, Friend!<br />You paid in love- God's just demand!<br />My heart will praise you without end-<br />Pure Son of God- A Sinner's Friend!<br /><br />RS Heiniger 3-1-09It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-74115456174633348862009-02-20T17:37:00.000-08:002009-02-20T18:17:46.208-08:00A Picture of PassionAs I listened to his story it was as if it unlocked the dream inside of me- a passion for college students. His name was Rich K. He had been a football player at a state college in Michigan. He was good looking, was a lady's man and well liked by everyone he met and yet there was a piece of his life that was missing. He searched for it in partying and in being seen with the hottest women on campus. He searched for that missing piece in alcohol and in pills. No matter what he did that missing quotient in his life just could not be filled.<br /><br />Religion? In his mind there was no God and the Bible was just a hoax. He would prove it. So he set out to disprove the truths that are central to our faith in Jesus. He was sure that with a little study he could prove that Jesus never had been the Son of God! He went at it with passion.<br /><br />Every archaeological fact he could dig up and every historical account he could find however brought him face to face with so many truths that it was astounding. He went deeper and deeper into study and yet the more he learned the more facts came up to support a true living Son of God than disproved him. God was beginning a work in his heart.<br /><br />In an accident Rich's nose became somewhat disfigured. To an athlete who was pop to whom the physical was all important this was devastating. He went into a depression one which would cause him to dive out of his dormitory window wanting to die rather than go on living in the pain he then felt.<br /><br />However, in trying to kill himself, he instead dove headlong into a snow bank injuring his neck. He had tried to take his own life...but God preserved it! God had his hand on Rich's life.<br /><br />Due to the injury he sustained while trying to take his life, Rich could no longer play football.His idols now at his feet...Rich was at a loss. On an evening when he was extremely overwhelmed and wanting to take pills to try again to commit suicide...God did something dramatic.<br /><br />A pastor had a powerful feeling that he should go to the college that day. When he arrived he began to walk the campus praying about what God wanted him to do. He felt led to walk into a men's dormitory. Going in and walking the halls he came upon a room where he felt God was directing him. Walking into the room, he put his arm around a college student with long hair,ripped jeans, who because of his depression had not had a bath in days. He told that college student that God brought him to that room with a message for him. The message was that God loved him and wanted to change his life.<br /><br />The student the pastor went to see? You guessed it! It was Rich. That night minutes from taking his own life Rich turned his life over to Jesus. As Jesus took control of his life, Rich left his college in Michigan and went to a Bible College. He later would begin a ministry to college students called Forever Generation and later Real Life Ministries.<br /><br />Rich would become my boss within a couple years of his sharing that testimony. I have only met one or two people as energetic and passionate about Jesus as Rich. I would say that he was a modern day Paul. He was an igniter in my life.<br /><br />It has been years since I last saw and spoke with Rich. I learned this week that Rich went to be with Jesus about nine years ago as a result of cancer. Yet there will be many entering the gates of Heaven because of this one man's passion to tell them about Jesus.<br /><br />Rich was a true candle.It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-21810322556278115552009-02-17T21:19:00.000-08:002009-02-17T22:00:17.285-08:00Overwhelmed By His Love<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">It was late summer and I was driving through the mountains of northern Pennsylvania on my</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"> way to a camp. I would serve there for several weeks as camp missionary. The route was a</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"> familiar one which I had traveled many times as I raised support to work on college campuses.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"> I had a small Volkswagen which was loaded to the gills with luggage and equipment.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">I passed a small town which was a landmark that I was nearing the last city. It would be about </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">thirty miles or so to the camp. With thoughts on camp and what was ahead, I was</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"> startled by a loud spurting noise. I saw smoke wafting out from under the hood. I was</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"> already up the mountain side, it was late afternoon. What was I to do? I was a mile or two up the road from</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"> the last small town, I had expensive equipment in the car and best of all I had on high</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"> heels and a dress. Somehow, I knew this was another one of those God things. It was time</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"> for another lesson!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Gathering my courage and with a word of prayer for protection...I began walking down the</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"> mountain. There were no cars in sight...this was going to be a long walk! Eventually I made it</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"> down the hill. There was one small grocery store and a closed gas station. I headed</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"> for the the grocery store.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">The gentleman at the store kindly let me use the phone to call the camp. Thankfully, I was</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">able to reach the camp director's wife and she promised to send help as quickly as she</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">could. I knew that could mean a couple hours before some one could get to me and then</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">another hour or so to camp. After a pepsi and sandwich I began walking back up the</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">mountain to the car. I needed to see if the equipment and luggage were still there.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">The car had puddles of oil flowing underneath it when I arrived. I checked under the</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">hood as things seemed cool now...but there was oil everywhere. The car looked</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">safe enough to sit in...so I got in...locked the doors and waited. Several cars stopped</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">to see if I needed help...but quickly decided that the car was probably beyond any<br />assistance they could give.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">One of the camp staff eventually arrived and put my car on a flat bed behind the truck. He had</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"> friends in town who were mechanics. He determined we should leave the car with them and</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"> take all my belongings out. That was no small task with projectors and screens in tow!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">That night we arrived at the camp and I was more than ready to climb into that hard</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">old bunkbed and sleep! I was peaceful...but I wondered how a missionary raising support</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">was going to travel without a vehicle. It was a mountain I had not had to face before...no</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">parents...no churches...no brothers for support...it was me and God. Not to mention a couple</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;"> hundred children!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">The kids had faith that God was going to supply a car for me! They prayed all week that</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">either the car I had could be fixed or that God would provide a new one. Near the end of</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">the week with a church to speak in on that Sunday...but no car. God surely must have</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">a plan.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">He did ...but it was not quick in coming. The camp director's wife offered to take me</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">to the meeting. On our drive back...she shared that it was just what she had needed to</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">encourage her to keep going for the rest of the summer. We prayed together about my</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">car and left it with the Lord!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">At the end of the 2nd week of camp I received a call from some family friends. Bob and</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Betty said that God had burdened their hearts to give me a car. They had taken money</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">out of their savings account and purchased a used car for me. Bob and his son even</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">drove the car up to the camp. The kids at camp had been praying all week and they were</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">ecstatic! They had gotten to see God answer prayer! I was blown away by such a gift</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">of love and support....away from the kids...all I could do was cry! I was so overwhelmed</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">that God would show me his love in such a tangible way!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">from the Lord, which made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1,2</span>It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-46126778929215647912009-02-17T20:26:00.000-08:002009-02-17T21:18:52.335-08:00A Friend For A Season- A Foundation For Life!<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Insistent that God had special plans for my life,this friend of my</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">parents exploded into my life. I was home for a few weeks of R & R after</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">having been on the road as a photographer for several months.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">The minute she found out that I had worked on college</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">campuses she determined that I had to meet Leigh(the vice president of a mission board). She was not going to let me settle for being a photographer if God had given me the ability to lead people to Jesus.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">In one week she served as the catalyst for what would become the next</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">six or seven years of my life. Life changer...you better believe it!</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Within one week from the time I met her I found myself in a car with</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">my mother driving to Ohio to meet Leigh. I would be meeting one of the vice presidents of a mission board who worked with college students. Within a month</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">I was preparing doctrinal statements and about to go through an oral</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">doctrinal examination by the board of the mission as well as about 20</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">pastors. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Not only had this tall thin blond nurse suggested that I go to work</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">with Baptist Mid-Missions. She proceeded to suggest that I move</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">temporarily to Toledo, Ohio and take the evangelism classes that my</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Mom had written materials for several years under Pastor Pete M. I</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">knew it again...for some reason God was using this average Mom of</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">teenagers to stir up my life. God makes some people to be life</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">changers!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Needless to say, I moved to Ohio and took that evangelism course for</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">eight weeks while I awaited final approval by the mission board. It</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">was one of the best things I have ever done! I worked with a mentor for</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">eight weeks who not only helped teach me the gospel backwards and forwards,</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">but also put me in the position of sharing the gospel in every possible</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">situation. A fire had been built in my soul that no one would ever</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">be able to put out.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Was this Life Changer done with me yet? God seemed to have one</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">or two small tasks for me to do yet under her tutelage. Her next</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">little spur was to ask me to meet her every week at McDonald's for</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">coffee and prayer. She showed me a book she had found that you could</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">record your devotions in, prayer requests, categorize memory verses, etc.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Every week she would share one or two of her devotional notes and I</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">would share one or two of mine. We prayed and saw God answer many</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">requests. In six short months she gave me as a recent college graduate</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">a basis for a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Then she decided it was my turn... she would ask me to take her daughter</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Julie with me on my trips to churches to raise support. Julie would</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">play the piano for me when I had opportunities to sing. I would ask her</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">how I could pray for her. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">In a brief couple of years she put all of her children including Eric and</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Jason through my school of deputation and prayer. We became good friends</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">and even in later years if Julie saw me she would run down the hall to</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">greet me. They became family. Our season together was not quite done</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">however.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">My friend the Life Changer was asked to be on staff at the large church</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">we attended with the youth pastors. You guessed it she felt it was a</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">"God Thing" that I go on the teen retreats and share with them about</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">missions and reaching college students. I counseled students, crawled</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">through mud pits, and listened to testimonies at camp fires. I helped</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">head up a summer ministry for teens and traveled with them around the</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">city to help give them opportunities to share the gospel.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">In the course of a few short years God used this dear friend to ignite</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">my heart. I had a passion to serve Christ...but she knew it would take</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">more than passion for me to deal with the hardships of being a missionary.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">She took moments of her day and taught me how to plunge into God's word...</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">how to listen to His voice. She placed confidence in me and put her</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">children in my hands. Her final step was to utilize my skills and talents</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">and stretch them. God had me in training. I had the background,</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">training, and experience to serve God...but she saw more and wasn't</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">satisfied that I stay at that level.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">It has been years now since I have seen Rosemary in person...but I see her</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">everyday. She was used by God for a season to teach me and was unafraid to</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">let God work through me. I believe we need more Rosemary's in the church.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">More catalysts for Christ! There is a lost world depending on us to train</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">workers for the harvest!</span>It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-50112020102822627562009-02-13T18:17:00.000-08:002009-02-13T18:47:51.034-08:00Hushed and Holy Night<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Deep blue seas full of twinkling lights. The sky has always intrigued me, especially the</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">night sky! I love the quietness and peacefulness that it brings cutting all the noise of</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">my life and for just a few moments filling my soul with awe. One must breathe it in for</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">if one breathes it in it gives a deep joy.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">place where we can receive instruction or where our life can touch and lift another's.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">My house is situated somewhat below a busy airport. In the evening, if I look up into</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">the sky, I can literally see fifteen to twenty airplanes all criss-crossing above in the</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">deep blue sky. It is truly an amazing sight to see so many planes and yet none of</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">them are running into each other!</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Then I am struck with the thought, is this not like God? He is constantly seeing the</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">millions of people on our planet and moving each one at precisely the right time to</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">precisely the right place. He takes individuals from Pennsylvania to work in Florida. He</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">moves children from Kenya to the United States. He brings a German couple to</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">North Carolina. Constantly he is working in each persons life. He brings us to the</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Is it not awe-inspiring to view the many intersects of people God is constantly</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">viewing? Is it not amazing to think that he moves them as perfectly as he moves the</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">stars in the sky or keeps planes in particular flight paths? As you take it in do you</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">not think with the Psalmist...</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">"O Lord our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth!" Psa 8:1</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge." Psa. 19:1-2</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">"When I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches" Psa. 63:6</span></span></div>It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-69104470313740504362009-02-06T19:46:00.000-08:002009-02-06T20:23:23.029-08:00Building Others Up<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >"While I was praying this week, God impressed me that I was to ask you</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >to teach music at our school." I was already working full time on campus,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >but with these words God had given me a new challenge. A new assignment</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >that would change my life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Sandra asked me if I would come and meet with her about beginning a</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >music and choir program for the students. As she explained her vision</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >to me of beginning an arts program in music for grades K-12, I became</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >excited at the opportunities there might be to influence children with</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >music.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Her next assignment was for me to plan a music program for the spring</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >utilizing all grade levels and involving as many of the other teachers</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >as possible. This event would be attended by parents and area churches</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >and pastors who supported the school. (What was I thinking?!)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The children were a joy! I especially loved the first graders who had</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >such pliable hearts! They loved singing and internalized every word!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >My choices in teaching them were songs that would comfort them, teach</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >them about God and lift their hearts in praise. "Love never gives up"</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >"My Father's Angels" "The Crayon Song" How they loved God!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Fast forward to High School Choir... now this was a thing that the girls</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >loved...but the guys thought was a sissy class. I had to make it an in your</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >face class...I had to find more ways to tap into their hearts. God gave me</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >the ring leaders! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >For the concert God brought a musical to my attention that was humorous, taught</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >a great deal of pride in our country, history and had some great characters.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I have never seen God transform a school like he did when everyone was</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >taking part. God taught me so much about unity and the positive affects that</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >come from everyone working to make a production work.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >My ring leaders were making hot air balloons, time machines and painting</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >scenery! The older students were working with younger students to help them</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >learn lines. Teachers were sewing costumes. Unsaved parents were making</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >frames for backdrops. God is good!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >That time brought to me some of the best experience of my life. I met so</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >many parents with whom I still have contact. My teens...they have graduated</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >from college and are in ministry and businesses.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Thank the Lord that he spoke to a school administrator who attended my</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >church and saw something in my life that I could use to contribute to others.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >We need to be listening to and watching for God to help us show others</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >where they can be involved. Life changing moments ...may we grasp the</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >opportunities to build others up!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >i</span></span>It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-31714897374757960182009-02-06T18:57:00.000-08:002009-02-06T19:44:06.402-08:00The GrocieriesThe lessons of a new missionary intern are often difficult. I had come Clemson University to train for Campus work similar to that of Campus Crusade only under the new ministry called Real Life (then Forever Generation). A new state, a new ministry, new people to work with, my first home, my first time raising support and my first major steps of faith. To me, it was an adventure with God that I faced with great anticipation.<br /><br />Karen greeted me that first day in a small empty 2 bedroom apartment in a neighboring town to Clemson. It was as close as we could get with the finances we had. Karen would be my mentor, adviser and trainer as I began this work. Neither of us had much furniture so we survived with a large chair and then a cot we covered and put pillows on to resemble couch. So it began...<br /><br />I loved being on campus with the students and meeting with them for discipleship and follow up. Karen and the other staff were faithful to guide me step by step! Yet, before I could go to campus each day I awoke at 4:30 am and made biscuits at Hardee's until 1pm.I would run home, change, grab something for lunch and head back to campus to work until mid evening.<br /><br />With my support and what I made on campus let's just say that I lived on very little during that first year! Karen and I both lived by faith in many ways. One day our food was next to nothing. On that day Karen told me that rather than train on campus that day that she wanted me to stay and pray that God would provide for us. The rest of the morning was spent on my knees by my bedside.<br /><br />About noon there was a knock on the door. I quickly got up from my knees and ran to open it. However, even I did not expect the sight I saw before me. There was a lady on the doorstep...who I did not know! She smiled and grabbing 2-3 bags of groceries handed them to me. Her words "God laid this on my heart today". I did not know her name. I did not recognize her as being from my church. I was awestruck. Not only had God answered prayer, but it was the first of many lessons that year in walking by faith.<br /><br />Karen came home shortly after that and asked if God had brought us any food...she was getting a little hungry. She just smiled when I said that God had sent a lady to our door with bags of groceries. "God answers prayer, Bec! God answers prayer!<br /><br />I would see tires, a car, furniture and many other things come by way of faith in Christ that year. With each I was able to share with students in Bible Studies or discipleship what God had provided. These lessons in faith have only served to make me very confident that He will provide.<br /><br />Karen had given me that day a picture which I kept for some time of the ram in the thicket right next to where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac. His hand was poised ready to take the life of his son. It was a picture of God's provision. Our Great Provider had already supplied what was needed!It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-32182486754511723962009-02-02T23:58:00.000-08:002009-02-06T09:53:57.800-08:00In This Place<span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >When I arrived it was the oddest looking building nestled among the Pennsylvania mountains. The building was gray and almost as big as a barn. To the side of it was a large kind of broken down building. So this was where I would spend my summer...out in the middle of nowhere. <br /><br />As I entered the front door a friendly woman with white hair put her arms around me. "You must be B.," she said! We've been watching for you! She then asked one of the teenagers in the main room to take me upstairs. "Pick any of the rooms you want! The campers will not be coming until early evening!"<br /><br />With those words, I was ushered upstairs and entering one of the rooms, I dropped my suitcase down and rolled out my sleeping bag. I looked around at the six or eight bunks surrounding me. I wondered who would be sleeping in each of those beds.<br /><br />I would never have believed that so many children could come out of a countryside that looked so desolate! There were hundreds of kids descending on the house. Surely they were not all staying here!<br /><br />I did find that the camp was a bit larger than I had thought. The ground extended all the way up the mountain. Yet the cabins for the guys were back behind the main lodge building where the girls would be staying. I was amazed that so many children could fit in these buildings. Why the girls even fought over sleeping in "The Porch" an open porch area perched at the end of the main building which was a porch with six beds on it.<br /><br />Gina and By began cooking in a little kitchen. Was she going to feed them all from in here? She handed me a bowl and asked if I would fill it with mashed potatoes and then come back<br />for more. We worked speedily and would you believe it...we fixed our first meal for about 200-250 campers? I was amazed. God must surely have something in this summer for me!<br /><br />Heading upstairs after dinner I found that the bunks had been filled by six girls of all shapes and sizes. I saw right away there were a couple talkers and at least one that would be a challenge. Yet I was excited to see what God did.<br /><br />Would you believe that I loved every minute in that run down camp! God was in that place like I have never seen! Child after child received Jesus because this family opened their home and property to reach lost kids with the gospel and love on them.<br /><br />That summer was so great! One of my teenage girls shared with me that she wanted to be a missionary like me some day. Heather began a journey that day that took her to medical school and on to Bangladesh. This quiet red head became a doctor. Today she is still a missionary. Was it a summer of blessings? Need I say more?<br /><br />I learned a lesson while there...that God can use whatever we have to give him if we open it up to him. He will will use it to reach a lost world.<br /><br />As for By and Regina...well...this summer just as that one so many years ago...they will be found in the kitchen once again making meals for hundreds of campers. This wonderful couple of teachers in rural PA who have a heart for children have followed in their parents footsteps and opened this big old home so that children and teens can hear the gospel.<br /><br />Me...well I was changed by that summer...and never again would I be the same.</span>It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-69306892526152059162009-02-02T23:33:00.000-08:002009-02-02T23:57:54.646-08:00Remembering MomPerhaps you too my friend have known what it is to have a loved one go on before you. As you read today your heart still walks through the valley of the shadow. Know this my friend...God is<br />with you and will restore your soul.<br /><br />The item below was written recently in remembering some of my mother's last words to me. She had gone through a battery of tests while in the hospital dying from cancer. She was getting tired of tests. On this particular day, she told me that God gave her a dream where she visited this beautiful garden. She wanted to remember to tell me about the dream because she knew that I love flowers. The minute she told me of her time in the garden, I knew that God would would soon be taking her home. How kind of Him to let me picture her there. She and I had so often sat on the garden swing my Dad had made for her.<br /><br /><br />This is what came to me....<br /><br />I've been in the garden, darling<br />I wish that you could see it too!<br />There are roses of every shape and color<br />Gardenias and hydrangeas too!<br /><br />There's a swing there in the garden<br />I will go there every day-<br />Amongst the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lilies</span>, tulips, violets<br />I will go there and I'll wait.<br /><br />You won't have to worry about me!<br />I'll be relaxing in the sun-<br />Pain and tears will now be over<br />Happy times have now begun.<br /><br />I will not forget your smiles.<br />I'll hear your laughter and see your tears.<br />Just remember you'll soon be coming<br />Though the days may seem like years!<br /><br />And it's most important my daughter-<br />Fix your eyes and heart upon the One<br />Who made all that is around you<br />Until your journey on earth is done1<br /><br />Don't forget to lean upon Him<br />He's a fortress and a friend!<br />Trust His love and give to others<br />Your blessing then will have no end!<br /><br />Now, remember...I'll be waiting<br />In the garden when you come HOME!<br />And like old times -we'll do our reminiscing<br />On all that's happened while I've been gone.<br /><br />In Loving Memory of Barbara <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Goodell</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Heiniger</span><br />Born 1930 Home to Heaven May 2005It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-59608967806087965042009-02-02T23:15:00.000-08:002009-02-02T23:32:45.464-08:00God/s Amazing GraceThe family of six was coming home on a stormy night. As their van entered some water on the road...they never could have known what was ahead. The van began to move with the current which was almost like a river. Looking at one another the parents had the same sense, only God could help them with this situation.
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<br />Minutes later the water in the car was up to the floor board. As they had always done in hard times, the couple began to pray with the children. The parents knew they could not chance getting out of the car with four little ones to try to hold above water, they would have to stay with the car. All the while their plea to God was for wisdom to know what to do.
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<br />The water was now up to the seat of the car. With three small children in car seats in the back there was a fear in the parents that they must try something. It was determined that the father would try to kick out the window and climb out. Just as he kicked through the window a gush of water poured in moving the vehicle and sucking him out the door.
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<br />That was the last picture he had of his family. He was unconscious and would be found by rescue workers blocks from the place where the car was last.
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<br />The five year old who had been sitting between her parents was found dead near a barbed wire fence not far from where the car had been. The small blond was the oldest of the four children who were with their parents on that horrible evening.
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<br />The other members of the family were also found. Three of the small children still in their car seats in the rear of the car. The mother was found as well several blocks away in a creek bed.
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<br />When he awoke...it was with a start! Where was he? Where were the children? His wife? Did they make it safely out of the car or had it tipped over? He could not think! Panic gripped his heart.
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<br />Friends stood vigil by his bedside and prayed. When at last he recovered they had to share that his wife and all four children had perished. Waves of grief overcame him as he began to deal with so great a loss!
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<br />Eventually the police had to ask him to identify the bodies of his family. As he identified his three little children sickness overcame him. He didn't think he could go on. Then his five year old little girl. The grief and guilt overwhelmed him.
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<br />Days later his wife was found and once again he had to make that horrible trip to identify her body. With each family member it was like a part of his soul left him. He did not want to go on living without them. How could he go on?
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<br />At this time his church and friends surrounded him. He began to go to a grief counselor and though it took years ...he began to realize that God must have a plan for his life. Why else would his children and wife be gone...yet he was still living. He came to grips with the fact that we are appointed only a certain number of hours on earth and then our time is up. God was not finished with him.
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<br />He began to realize that he wanted to do more with his life that wire people's homes as
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<br />A true story as relayed on RC Anderson. It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-46351346588152875022009-01-29T15:47:00.000-08:002009-01-29T16:09:35.139-08:00For Christie<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >Christie is one of the loveliest teenagers you could hope to meet. Christie is an artist, pianist</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >and loves to ride horses. She is close to her parents and her love for them shines in her eyes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >Not long ago Christie was on a horseback ride. There was an accident and Christie was</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >thrown from the back of the horse. She had multiple problems and was in for quite a</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >fight! Despite injuries all over her body and to her brain...she has fought to come back and</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >to move forward!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >This fall she went to art school in Charleston, SC. She has been doing great and</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >maneuvering well being out on her own. This past week she suffered a setback. Christie</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >had the third seizure within about an eighteen month period. This dealt a devastating blow</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >to both Christie and her parents.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >Christie has been looking forward to driving again but this seizure means another four </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >month wait. Her father wrote tonight of her fears and their struggle to keep up her </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >courage. God laid the following on my heart! Perhaps it will encourage you...even as it did </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >me.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >I am unsure of the writers of these first two verses... the Holy Spirit just dictated to me</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >what to write down for Christie and her parents on CaringBridge.Com. This is where they<br />communicate by email with friends and family.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >"O LOVE, that will not let me go</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >I rest my weary soul in Thee</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >And give Thee back the life I owe</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >That in its depths the flow might richer-fuller be!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >"He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >He sendeth more strength when the labors increase!</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >To added affliction, He addeth His mercy!</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >To multiplied trials- His multiplied peace!</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >His love- has no limit!</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >His grace- has no measure!</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >His power has no boundary known unto man.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >For out of His infinite riches in Jesus</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >I was disappointed Lord</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >You said, "wait on Me"</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >I said, "but I'm so tired, Lord"</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >He said, "wait-you'll see"</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >I said, "Let this be over, Lord"</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >He said, "there will be an end"</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >I said, "What's the lesson, Lord"</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >He said, "that on Me you will depend".</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >So I wait for His salvation in the trial I must face</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >Ever mindful every moment of unending love- </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >amazing grace!</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >His love for me is so strong....</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >Though the waters are so deep</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >He'll keep me safe</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >He'll be my anchor</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >He will never, never leave</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >He will be my rock, my fortress</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >He's my God!</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >My Breath!</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >My Friend!</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >And I learn through every trial that on Him</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >I can depend.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">sa 40:28-31</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >"Hast Thou not known? Hast thou not not heard</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >that the Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >of the ends of the earth, fainteth not</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >neither is weary? There is no searching of </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >HIS understanding.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >He giveth power to the faint,</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >and to them that hath no might He increaseth</span> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >Strength.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >the young men shall utterly fall.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >strength.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >They shall mount up with wings as eagles</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >They shall run and not be weary</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >They shall walk and not faint!"(RSH)</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >God be with you all! Praying for strength and </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >hope and more courage for Christie!</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:lucida grande;" >God will hold her tightly!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Love to you all</span>It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-88483327056128960232009-01-28T20:59:00.000-08:002009-01-28T21:33:22.224-08:00Living, Blooming, Joyful Hope<span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >'The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever'</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >I love flowers! I love to see the artistry of God in each color, variety and</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >hue. I love the hope that flowers bring to us in the spring. It is awe-inspiring</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >to see the earth as it renews itself after the long harsh winter.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Each year I spend a great deal of time and money selecting just the right variety</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > flower for just the right spot in my garden. No matter these efforts, however. when</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > fall comes for just as the year before the flower fades away and it's beauty is gone. All of</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > the hope and promise of spring dies.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Man's hope in all it's glory is much the same as my flowers. All of the dreams </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >men can dream will fade away. All of the money, power and fame will </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >die. Just like my flowers the aspirations will bloom and be glorious for a brief moment in time.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >How different is my hope as a believer! I belong to another land and am but passing</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > through this one. My hope is not in a flower that fades, but in an eternal Living Christ! My future dreams and hopes are in a literal place where He dwells! My daily</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > hope is in a living and breathing Word!</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >The hymn writer states it "My hope is in the Lord, who gave Himself for me and paid the price for all my sin at Calvary. For me, He died! For me, He lives! And everlasting light and life He freely gives!"</span>It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-40068115283690930472009-01-26T20:29:00.000-08:002009-01-26T20:44:43.985-08:00Sing His PraiseI was humming this tune all day and decided to put some words to it. Without the <br />tune it may not make as much sense...but I had to write it down.<br /><br />Rejoice O skies of heaven!<br />With Crimson dawn give praise!<br />Sing, O Earth to the Ancient of Days!<br />Sing, O Earth to the Ancient of Days!<br /><br />Come and See all the works of the Lord!<br />Taste and See the delights of His Word!<br />Come and See all the works of the Lord!<br />Taste and See the Delights of His Love!<br /><br />O Earth Delight your Maker!<br />All who dwell therein bring praise!<br />Bring your praise to the Ancient of Days<br />Bring your praise to the Ancient of Days!<br /><br />Come and See all the works of the Lord<br />Taste and See the delights of His Word!<br />Come and See all the works of the Lord<br />Taste and see the delights of His love!<br /><br />O Moon and Stars surround Him<br />Spread throughout the sky His fame!<br />O majestic sky give glory to His name!<br />O majestic sky give glory to His name!<br /><br />Come and See all the works of the Lord!<br />Taste and see the delights of His word!<br />Come and see all the works of the Lord!<br />Taste and see the delights of His love!<br /><br />Clap your hands all you nations!<br />Shout to God with cries of praise!<br />Awesome God we will glorify Your Name!<br />Awesome God we will glorify Your Name!<br /><br />Come and See all the works of the Lord!<br />Taste and see the delights of His Word!<br />Come and see all the works of the Lord!<br />Taste and see the Delights of His Love!<br /><br />Trailer<br />Taste and see the delights of His Love!<br />Taste and see the delights of His Love!<br />O delight in His Love!It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-9365558011887840682009-01-24T19:08:00.000-08:002009-01-24T19:12:15.055-08:00BettyThe astute wife of a multi-millionaire. Mrs. Betty Lewis was an able <br />financial consultant to her husband. Mrs. Lewis enjoyed an impressive lifestyle.<br />She and her husband had power, wealth and fame. Betty's husband<br />George was on the cover of business magazines.<br /><br />Fast forward to the present. Mr. Lewis passed away several years<br />ago having to live in a wheel chair and needing to be taken care <br />of by a round the clock nursing staff. After the death of Mr. Lewis, Betty, <br />was brought to North Carolina by her children as Alzheimer's began <br />to take control of her mind. She lives today within the confines of <br />her house, yard and street. Mrs. Lewis finds pleasure in puppies, <br />children and an occasional meal out.<br /><br />Alzheimer's is a thief of the thing we all hold dear--memory. There are<br />a few days when patients are lucid and active. Their conversations<br />may be more normal. Their sentences usually garbled become clear.<br />A patient might be able to read or play a game on these days.<br /><br />I began bringing my dog, Meah, to visit Betty almost a year ago now. Betty<br />finds joy in petting Meah's head and having her wet, sloppy kisses. <br />She loves on Meah and Meah loves her. Betty calls her a<br />"good girl" and Meah's tail wags wildly in response. Betty knows<br />a kindred spirit when she sees one.<br /><br />Betty , the nurse, Meah and I make scrapbooks, play games and<br />cook together. Betty, though she is ill, has a discernment about<br />her. She knows she is among friends. She calls us "a good group".<br /><br />Betty and I would never have run in the same circles if it were not for<br />her illness. Now she calls me her friend! Though I am often tired<br />when our day comes to visit Betty...I always go away refreshed. <br /><br />Betty's husband, George, had come to know Jesus as His Savior before<br />his death. I like to think that He can see us from Heaven and that<br />He knows the love of his life is in good hands. Several times there has<br />been an opportunity for me to share with Betty as I would with children the<br />gospel story. I have asked God to give her lucid moments<br />in which she understands and can somehow respond to His Spirit.<br /><br />I so want to see Betty in Heaven, free from the chains of Alzheimer's<br />which now imprison her.It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-19082215472415008362009-01-24T18:25:00.000-08:002009-01-24T18:27:24.988-08:00Squirrel HuntMy dog, Meah, is a black lab mix. A gentle, loving soul who weighs 65<br />pounds but feels that she is a 10 pound lap dog. In her heart she <br />believes herself to be my personal clown. When I am tired she runs<br />to her toys and tosses them into the air whirling about on her back feet. <br />Her performance is enhanced by my giggles and laughter. God made<br />her by nature to be a giver of joy.<br /><br />Our usual routine is to make sure that several times during the day<br />she is able to get out and run for a short period. She needs periods of<br />freedom to run and play during the day. I thrill to see her bound down<br />her path and then turning with a great expression of joy...run back to me.<br /> She has certain boundaries. I delight in watching her dance through the <br />yard when she stays within those boundaries.<br /><br />On this particular day, she found something tantalizing beyond her <br />boundaries. She decided to take off into the woods. I am fearful<br />of her getting hurt in a place where I cannot easily reach her so this<br />is always a concern. Today, she smelled a squirrel and took off running<br />right after it through the trees.<br /><br />A small voice spoke to me very clearly in that precise moment. The <br />voice said, "when I give you a little freedom you do this very same <br />thing". How must God feel when I go off on a squirrel hunt?<br /><br />God in His great love for me gives me parameters in which to operate. He<br />delights in seeing me dance and fly. He loves it most when in that moment<br />I turn to Him and run back knowing that my real source of joy is in just<br />being close to Him. We both enjoy my freedom in those moments <br />when I choose to stay within those parameters just<br />because I love Him more than the other enticements that might lead<br />me off into the woods. He is concerned wanting me to be protected <br />from harm. <br /><br />I get it, Father. I understand.It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-40620954172183146902009-01-22T20:17:00.000-08:002009-01-22T20:21:46.132-08:00A Time of Prayer, A Moment to RememberThe bells of the cathedral rang. There was a hush throughout the magnificent<br />edifice. Soon the sounds of "Holy, Holy, Holy" soared throughout the heights<br />of the carved ceilings and on to Heaven. Awe and quietness stilled the thoughts<br />and words of politicians and leaders.<br /><br />The heady pride of yesterday's ceremonies was lost to this moment of humility.<br />The President of the United States was humbling himself before God to pray<br />in this, the beginning of his work on behalf of the American people. This was<br />a quiet, thoughtful moment before the rush of activity. A deliberate beginning<br />by requesting the God of All to give wisdom and prudence.<br /><br />The Word of the Lord was read; "' I will look unto the hills from whence cometh<br />my help..my help cometh from the Lord...the maker of heaven and earth' It was<br />a reminder of Who our President could go to for help when no one else could help or advise him. Again and again throughout the service he was reminded of<br />the Word of the Lord.<br /><br />Amazing Grace flowed from the depths of the soul of Whitley Phipps. With all<br />his might in hopes of reaching the soul of our great leader came the words...<br />"I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see" The eyes of the<br />President brightened as the last verse was sung. "When we've been there<br />ten thousand years, bright shining as the Sun. We've no less days to sing<br />God's praise than when we'd first begun".<br /><br />The message was one of holding on to values. The President was reminded<br />that he will have many allures and many opportunities to compromise. The<br />speaker implored him to hold on to scriptural values. He was challenged to<br />remember the one most important command in scripture, that command of<br />God to "love the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbor<br />as our self.'<br /><br />Many pastors and clergy of many faiths implored God to "Hear Our Prayer".<br />May God hear our prayers on behalf of our President. May He look to<br />the Almighty God of Heaven and Earth! May he not quickly forget in his business and issues of the day...that only God will lead him in right paths.<br /><br />Thank God for this day! A Day of Prayer to the Most High God!It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-24738685940351303482009-01-22T19:41:00.000-08:002009-01-22T19:45:19.875-08:00God Bless AmericaHispanic, African-American, Jew and Greek- all these nationalities and more<br />standing side by side. Millions moving quietly through our nation's capital<br />with one single cause. From the monument of Lincoln to the Capital <br />on ground paid for by the blood of many, stood a people in unity. For this day<br />they had laid down their positions, politics and disagreements to watch our<br />forty-fourth President take the oath of office.<br /><br />Very few times in our lives can we experience History in the making. This<br />day was one we will not soon forget. The day when FREEDOM rang throughout<br />our land. Freedom to elect a President. Freedom from the oppression which<br />once was commonplace in our land. Freedom to see the first African-American<br />President take the oath of office. Freedom.<br /><br />From the arenas of Heaven above there must have been a quiet hush. For<br />there beneath the clouds. all of Heaven could see all the nations of the earth<br />standing together in unity of purpose and heart in this one place. God himself <br />must have smiled to see a people who had been oppressed liberated at last. <br />He must have seen the sight for which Christians long. The day when every tribe, tongue and nation stand before the most high God with one purpose.<br /><br />There have been rare moments when we have been able to see five thousand ortwenty thousand people together in the same place. Yet, on this most<br />hallowed of days for Americans, we saw millions. There were all sizes,<br />shapes and colors but one sense of purpose and unity. This day we laid<br />aside all malice. This day we agreed to disagree without arrogance or<br />anger. This day we were all United.It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-78533240583454747582009-01-20T19:36:00.000-08:002009-01-20T19:43:41.009-08:00Change<span style="font-family:georgia;">President Bush and Mrs. Bush met President Elect Obama and his wife Michelle</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">on the steps of the White House this morning. Things were about to change in</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">the United States. The man who had fought to protect us and realized the</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">stakes of what happened in the Middle East would very shortly lay down the</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">mantle he had carried for these past eight years.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">There was no parade to say "Thank you". There were just Americans hissing</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">from the throngs before the White House. There was no gratitude shown by</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">the multitudes he had so willing protected for the past eight years. Even the</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">new President as he was sworn into office did not really show the respect</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">due to the one who was now his </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" style="font-family:georgia;">predecessor</span><span style="font-family:georgia;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Yet President Bush did give to us a picture of how to stand as a Candle amidst</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">those who did not understand his decisions. He quietly said "goodbye" after</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">having the weight of our country on his shoulders. He was kind to the unkind.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">He was loving toward those who had mocked him. He showed respect for</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">those who were disrespectful of his presidency.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">May each of us now hold high our candles that the watching world might</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">see Jesus in us. They may not understand why we do what we do. They</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">might chuckle at our beliefs. This crowd might not understand why we</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">cling to our faith. It might seem odd that we sound the alarm. Yet we</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">must hold high our candles and walk into the darkness of a new world...</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">because they need the Light.</span>It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718872259388698854.post-87099255256054992652009-01-19T10:02:00.000-08:002009-01-19T10:03:12.829-08:00Several years ago a dear retired pastor who was a part of our<br />choir family stood and shared this story. I have embellished it<br />a bit after studying scripture and reading once again the book,<br />"Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret". May these words light up<br />your soul as they did mine and continue to do.<br /><br />A traveler was headed across the desert in a caravan when he and<br />his friends headed into a sand storm. Winds howled about them,<br />yet they dare not stop or it would mean certain death. The dry,<br />parched air made them long for even just a drink of clean water. <br />The sand enveloped them until it pressed them almost<br />to madness.<br /><br />After hours of moving forward and enduring the harsh conditions<br />upon them, the storm came to an end as abruptly as it had begun. <br />The whirring of the wind and the blasting of the sand had died<br />down to a whimper. All was quiet.<br /><br />Free from the blast, they continued fighting on. The stars of<br />night being their only compass. The group could no longer count<br />upon the landmarks they had once known.<br /><br />Tired and weary to the point of exhaustion they toiled on. Their<br />supplies were now low and no water was in sight. The small<br />caravan of travelors felt it almost unneccessary to continue.<br />They were in despair of their lives. The leader urged them on<br />a bit further.<br /><br />As the travelers fought their way forward they caught sight of<br />what seemed to be a bit of green miles ahead. Encouraged, they<br />fought the pangs of hunger and thirst and moved toward the<br />green place they felt they saw.<br /><br />Was this a mirage? Were their minds only creating such a place<br />because they were so thirsty and in need of nourshment? The<br />travelers could not tell, it was all they could do to move forward.<br /><br />As the longed for sight became a closer reality their spirits<br />were renewed. They must reach water. They must get to this<br />place of greenery. Finally, after what seemed like days their<br />faith became sight. They were able to see large palm trees<br />and green foliage. They were within reach.<br /><br />Upon arriving the leader of the small group jumped from his<br />camel and ran into the foliage. Surely the source which<br />watered this spot must be close. Further into the the green,<br />lush oasis he went. After clearing through bushes and<br />greenery he came to a clearing where there was a large well.<br />Running to the well he fell upon it. Water!<br /><br />Yet drawing near the well and hanging over the edge...he saw<br />but a small trickle of water at the very bottom of the well.<br />He looked around, but there were no buckets or containers.<br />How could he reach that water?<br /><br />Exhausted he laid down by the well and tried to think. They<br />did not have ropes or anything of use with them for such a<br />task. Would they die here...so close to quenching their thirst.<br /><br />All of a sudden the travelor heard a small voice say, "Sing to<br />the fountain". Sure he was hearing things, the traveler<br />looked about the clearing thinking there must be someone<br />there. No one. He dismissed the words.<br /><br />Again, a voice said, "Sing to the Fountain". He thought this<br />was a ridiculous idea, but bereft of any ideas of his own he<br />decided it was worth trying. He began humming quietly an old<br />hymn which his mother had often sang to him as a boy.<br /><br />As he hummed...he heard a trickle of water, as if the the<br />fountain had heard his quiet song. Yet looking over the<br />edge the water was still not high enough to reach.<br /><br />"Sing louder" the quiet voice commanded. So feeling it his<br />only option, once again he began to sing louder. There was<br />now a flowing sound in the fountain...it was moving higher.<br />The water was nearing the surface. <br /><br />Without having to be instructed again, the travelor began to<br />sing at the top of his voice. The water stirred again and filled<br />with joy at the sight the travelor began singing and dancing<br />around the fountain. At that moment, the water gushed<br />upward and began to flow over the man and to water the<br />ground about him. He ran to mouth of the fountain and began<br />to drink all of the water he could. <br /><br />Remembering the others...he ran to get them and brought the<br />caravan closer in. Water began to flow as a river around<br />them and they drank deeply of its sweet streams. Even the<br />animals had water to drink.<br /><br />Upon leaving the oasis, the travelors built a stone marker...<br />that if they traveled this way again...it could be seen readily.<br />The travelors came back to this place many times in the future<br />as their journeys took them through this desert place. Freely,<br />they would sing to the fountain and it repeatedly brought forth<br />water in abundance!<br /><br />"O Christ, He is the fountain<br />The deep, sweet well of love<br />The streams on earth, I've longed for<br />More deep I'll drink above"<br /><br />Hudson Taylor's words: "Shall never thirst"--would it, could it<br />prove true now? "To know that 'shall" means shall, that<br />"never" means never, and that "thirst" means any unsatisfied<br />need".<br /><br />"Oh, it is joy to feel Jesus living in you, to find your heart<br />all taken up by Him; to be reminded of His love by His seeking<br />communion with you at all times, not by your painful attempts<br />to abide in Him. He is our life, strength, our salvation. He is<br />our "wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."<br />He is our power for service and fruitbearing..."<br /><br />The Living Water lives in us and as we drink of Him, praise Him<br />...His love and joy pour forth in our lives.It all began...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12424374856976358848noreply@blogger.com0