Stepping Up with Esther

Superstition

2009-03-07T09:26:00.001-06:00

by Charles R. Swindoll

The Great Plague stretched across London like a thick, drab blanket. It came as a thief in the night . . . unannounced, treacherous, silent. The mortality rate was astounding.

Someone came up with the foolish idea that polluted air brought on the plague. So people began to carry flower petals in their pockets, superstitiously thinking the fragrance would ward off the disease. Groups of victims, if they were able to walk, were taken outside the hospitals. Holding hands, they walked in circles around rose gardens, breathing in deeply the aroma of the blooming plants. As death came closer, another superstitious act was employed with sincerity. Many felt if the lungs could be freed from pollution, life could be sustained. So ashes were placed in a spoon and brought up near the nose, causing a hefty sneeze or two. But nothing retarded the raging death rate. Not until the real cause was discovered---the bite of fleas from diseased rats---was the plague brought in check.

The awful experience gave birth to a little song which innocent children still sing at play. It was first heard from the lips of a soiled old man pushing a cart in London, picking up bodies along an alley:

Ring around the roses,
A pocket full of posies;
Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.

Conceived in the mind by ignorance, superstition cultivates insecurity and sends a legion of structural cracks through our character. It feeds on exaggerated, self-made lies which grow so thick that the boughs hide common sense---and worse, God.

You find superstition in sports. Some basketball players testify they simply cannot play the game unless they go through their strange warm-up ritual. The manager of one professional baseball team doesn't dare step on a white baseline. Several pro football running backs have superstitious "dances" that follow their touchdowns---and you'd better not try to stop them! The news media reported that one of America's Olympic skiers stuck a four-leaf clover in her jacket pocket before she hit the slopes.

Superstition enslaves many an entertainer. You wouldn't believe the mental contortions they go through before their performances. Students are superstitious about getting good grades. Mothers are superstitious about their babies at night. Men are superstitious about their success in sales or the future of their careers. Multiplied millions are superstitious about their astrological forecast.

The worst? Superstition regarding the Lord God. The Reformers were among the first to see it and call a spade a spade. They wrote of it, preached against it, publicly exposed it---and were martyred because of it. Religious superstition is ruthless.

Before you write this off as applying to anyone but yourself, take a long, hard look at your own life. The goal of superstition is bondage. Remember that. If anything in your Christianity has you in bondage, it is probable that superstition is the breeding ground. You see, our Savior came to give us the truth and set us free. Superstition, although prompted by sincerity, brings the plague of slavery. Sincerity doesn't liberate; Christ does.

You may be sincere. As sincere as a pocketful of petals or a spoonful of ashes or a song in the alley. But what good is a song if it's sung to a corpse?

GOD NOTICES

2009-02-27T21:05:00.003-06:00

by Charles Swindoll
Read Esther 6:1-14

Never fails, does it? Things are not as they seem. And about the time you think they cannot get worse, they do. This was certainly true for Mordecai at a pivotal point in the story of Esther.
When all seems lost, it isn't. Mordecai could have despaired at the situation in Persia. The king was a Gentile. He had no interest in the Jews. Furthermore his closest confidant was Haman, who shamelessly hated the Jews. Esther was in the palace, but when the king found out she was a Jew, her life might be over in an instant. When all seems lost, it isn't.
When no one seems to notice, they do. Remember Mordecai's courageous decision earlier when he heard of a conspiracy between two of the doorkeepers of the palace, who were plotting to kill the king? When Mordecai heard of that conspiracy, he told his adopted daughter Esther about it. And she, being the queen, alerted the king.
Esther had told the king that the information had come from Mordecai, yet no one ever rewarded him for his great act. It seemed as though no one noticed or remembered. So Mordecai went on living his life unnoticed, unrewarded, and unappreciated---until this pivotal night.
I love the first three words of 6:1, "During that night." That's the way it is with God. At the eleventh hour, He steps in and does the unexpected. When no one seems to notice and no one seems to care, He notices and He cares "during that night."
Learn a lesson from Mordecai today, will you? Through all that happens to him, Mordecai never becomes a man of vengeance. He never tries to get back at Haman, even when he has the opportunity, even when he has Haman in a very vulnerable spot. He doesn't kick him in the face when he has a chance to. He doesn't even speak against the man. Let me challenge you to guard your heart as Mordecai did.

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. (Hebrews 6:10)

I love those words, "God is not unjust so as to forget." When no one else notices, mark it down, God notices. When no one else remembers, God records it so it won't be forgotten.

Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, Great Days with the Great Lives (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2005). Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

ASH WEDNESDAY

2009-02-24T19:10:00.003-06:00

The Downward Path -
Margaret Manning

The life and ministry of Jesus--his birth, his life and death, his resurrection and ascension--are all echoed in the celebrations and seasons of the church year. We prepare for his coming during Advent. We anticipate the triumphant entry of God into the world in Jesus on Christmas Day. We grow in our understanding of Jesus during the season of Epiphany that unfolds his life and ministry. These seasons of the church year are joyous seasons filled with expectation, discovery, and hope.
Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent. And unlike Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, Lent is a solemn season as we travel with Jesus down the path toward the cross of crucifixion and death. The imposed ashes are from the previous year’s Palm Sunday fronds--fronds reminiscent of those waved triumphantly as Jesus entered Jerusalem on his way to Golgotha. The Jews believed he entered the city as the coming King; they did not yet understand he would reign through suffering and death.
The ashes remind us of our common destiny: “From dust you come and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). And the Lenten season reminds us of our common mission to walk the downward path with Jesus toward death. It invites us to lose our life in order to find it anew, resurrected with Jesus on Easter morning.
Lent is not a lighthearted season. Indeed, it is the season that invites us to evaluate our own lives and to examine the ways in which we need to “die” with Jesus. We can do this deathly contemplation in the hope that we will experience resurrection on Easter morning. But the path to resurrection is the downward path, the path of laying down our lives, the path of relinquishment, and the path of self-denial. None of us want to walk this path because this pathway takes us in the opposite direction from the path of self-preservation.
Yet, Jesus said that if we want to follow him, if we really want the kind of life he will offer to us, the kind of life he modeled for us in his own life, then we must “deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him” (Mark 8:34). Following Jesus will lead us all to the cross, and will lead us all to the place of death. That is the downward journey of Lent. It is the season that bids us to come, to enter in, and to follow Jesus on his journey towards the cross. We all share in this destiny and like Jesus, we too will die; but in light of this destiny, how shall we now live?
The life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer provides an illustration of one answer to this question.(1) Bonhoeffer grew up in a home full of privilege and status. His father, a prominent psychiatrist, provided the best of what life had to offer. Bonhoeffer attended the finest university, and took a year before his ordination to study in the United States. His life was filled with promise and potential.
Yet, this life seemingly marked for success, would be marred by loss and suffering. He lost one brother in World War I and he would lose another in World War II. He eventually would be arrested by the Nazi regime for aiding Jews to safety. And while he embraced the risk of peace and dared to love in the face of one’s enemies, he would be implicated in a plot to assassinate Hitler and executed at the age of 38.
It was not until after his death that Bonhoeffer’s ministry and influence had its most potent force. Many are now familiar with his books The Cost of Discipleship and Life Together. He has been a theologian of immense influence, not just for students of theology, but for all Christians yearning to grow in their understanding of discipleship. In his letters and papers published posthumously, Bonhoeffer argued that the will of God and the way of Christian discipleship would not always lead to self-preservation or advancement. The will of God involves giving our lives for the sake of others (which Bonhoeffer believed would be the case for his action against Hitler). He wrote, “Christ’s vicarious deeds and particularly his death on our behalf, become in turn the principle and model of the self-sacrifice that makes community possible... The church is the church only when it exists for others.”(1)
Embracing the inevitable downward path leads us to a renewed, hopeful, and restored vision of life. For as we embrace our death and our decline, as we embrace the downward path, we let go of the false things we think make up our lives. We let go of thinking that the accumulation of wealth, power, and resources make up a good life; we let go of thinking that busyness makes us important; we let go of thinking that our personal safety and security are to be preserved at all cost.
The season of Lent is the season of death and the way of the cross, both of which lead to Easter morning. Bonhoeffer understood this as he wrote from his prison cell, and our Lord understood this as he bore the weight of suffering, misunderstanding, shame, and death. The way to resurrection life is not by saving our lives, but losing them. May we have the grace to walk that path this Lenten season.
Margaret Manning is a member of the speaking and writing team at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Seattle, Washington.

Question

2009-02-20T20:10:00.009-06:00

HERE'S THAT WORD "FEAR" AGAIN! - Linda Willis

Thanks to Linda Willis for sharing this:

"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" – Matthew 14:29-30 NIV

I’ve been reading a book entitled “it” written by Pastor Craig Groeschel and in the book there is a question credited to Pastor Robert Schuller that has really grabbed hold of me over the past few days:

“What would you attempt if you knew it couldn’t fail?”

In other words, if God would bless anything that you do, and if money and a chance of failure were not issues, what would you attempt?

That question can be asked of us as individuals… asked of us as a church… asked of us as business and government leaders/workers/employees… and asked of us as Believers.

In Matthew 14, we see the story of Jesus, and ultimately Peter, walking on the water.

After hearing the voice of Jesus… and knowing it was Him… Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus… while the other 11 Disciples cowered together/remained in the boat…

Sure, Peter “failed”… and his faith faltered… But you know what, before He failed and faltered, Peter walked on the water.

He had enough faith to step out of the boat and to walk toward Jesus… and only after he started taking in his circumstances… only after he took his eyes off of Jesus and started seeing the crashing waves and feeling the wind in his face… did he start to sink and thrash around.

What if Peter never stepped out of the boat?

Then he never would have known what it was like to walk on water.

I can’t help but wonder… contemplate… if that experience helped him later in life as he led the “church”… I wonder if it came to mind when he spoke to the crowds and 3,000 people made Jesus their Savior?

Peter learned from his failure… Though he had many more learning moments, he took something from that moment with Jesus on the water… he learned about faith… about real faith… and keeping that faith in and through any circumstances that he may face… He remembered and learned and grew even after he denied, heard the rooster crow and ran away…

What will it take for us to step out of the boat… to attempt whatever it is that fear of failure or lack of resources (or both) keeps us from attempting?

When will we trust more than we fear?

Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem

“Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"” – Matthew 14:31 NIV

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Acorns, pickups, and submarines

2009-02-17T20:06:00.003-06:00

By Dr. James C. Denison
President, The Center for Informed Faith, Dallas, Texas

February 17, 2009

Topic: conquering fear

Chicken Little thought the sky was falling because an acorn fell on her head. Wonder what she would think of the fireball that streaked across the Texas sky last Sunday.

People in this part of the world are still debating the nature of the occurrence. A fallen airplane was the first fear, sending police in a helicopter to look for a crash sight. We were then told that it might be debris from the satellites that collided over Siberia last Tuesday. The FAA even warned pilots to watch out for more of the same over the weekend. But then we were told that the debris belt, 500 miles above the Earth, could not have fallen this soon.

This morning we're hearing that the fireball was most likely a natural occurrence. Today's Dallas Morning News quotes an observatory manager who thinks it was a meteor the size of a pickup truck with the consistency of a chunk of concrete. I knew pickups were everywhere in Texas, but I didn't expect to see one fall from the sky.

If she read today's news, Chicken Little would be as frightened of the seas as the skies. This morning's New York Times tells us that two nuclear submarines collided while submerged on operational patrols in the Atlantic early this month. British and French defense ministries made the disclosure yesterday. Both vessels were damaged but returned safely to their home ports with their 250 crew members uninjured. Since both subs carry nuclear reactors and 16 ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads, we're glad to hear that there was "no compromise to nuclear safety." Makes you wonder what else is swimming around out there.

Years ago, a friend assured me that "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you." There's your devotional thought for the day. As I write this morning's essay, I'm worried about finishing on time and then getting my other work done for the day. I'm not thinking about truck-sized meteors falling on my head or nuclear subs colliding in the Gulf of Mexico. And that's for the best. We can spend our day worrying about the bad that might happen and miss all the good that does.

Scripture assures us that "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV). What is your greatest fear today? Name it and give it to your Father right now. Know that you are in his hand (John 10:28), and that nothing can come to you without coming first to him. "Fear knocked—faith answered, and there was no one there." What's knocking at your door this morning?

I’M AVAILABLE

2009-02-08T07:53:00.001-06:00

by Charles R. Swindoll

Read Esther 2:19--4:14

Let's look at Haman. This guy hates Mordecai not just because he's a Jew, but because Mordecai will not bow down to him. So Haman talks the king into a game plan. "If you follow my rules, I will pour money into your treasury. All I ask is that you give me the right to rid the land of all these Jews." And so King Ahasuerus, believing Haman and ignoring the brutal genocide he is plotting, passes it off with a wave of his hand, "Go ahead, do whatever you need to do."

When Mordecai gets word of what Haman is planning, he makes a crucial but dangerous decision. He must tell his adopted daughter, Esther; she must know about Haman's evil plan. Because, you see, by now Esther had become queen, but nobody knew she was a Jew. When she was chosen as the king's consort, Mordecai had advised her not to tell anybody about her ethnic origins. Obediently, she hadn't (Esther 2:10).

Mordecai entertained no doubt that the Jews would survive this holocaust. He was convinced that God would not let His people be wiped from the face of the earth. He and Esther might be killed, but ultimately someone would deliver the Jews. However, what if God's plan was already in process? What if the means to that deliverance had already been put in place by the hand of God? What if it included Esther's getting involved? She was, after all, the queen.

"Esther, listen!" says Mordecai. "God's hand was on my getting the message from Haman that the Jews will be killed. And God's hand was on your being appointed queen. Perhaps you were put into this position just for this altogether unique hour in our history. Don't be silent. This is your greatest hour. Speak! Plead with the king. Stop this plot against our people!"

I've heard some people claim that they can't believe in the sovereignty of God because doing so makes you passive. Frankly, I don't see it. Not if it stays balanced and biblically oriented. If anything, the sovereignty of God makes me active. It drives me before Him as I plead, "Lord, involve me in the process, if it pleases You. Activate me in Your action plan. I'm available. Speak through me. Use me."

Your Day Is Coming

2009-02-05T05:44:00.004-06:00

Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Revelation 3:11

Some of you have never won a prize in your life. Oh, maybe you were quartermaster in your Boy Scout troupe or in charge of sodas at the homeroom Christmas party, but that's about it. You've never won much. You have watched the Mark McGwires (insert your favorite sport star) of this world carry home the trophies and walk away with the ribbons. All you have are "almosts" and "what-if's".

If that hits home, then you will cherish this promise, "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away" (1Peter 5:4 NIV).

Your day is coming, what the world has overlooked, your Father has remembered, and sooner than you can imagine, you will be blessed by Him.

from When Christ Comes by Max Lucado

And the Winner Is

2009-02-04T05:51:00.002-06:00

Yes, I do believe from the ladies willing to 'fess up (comment) that we have a winner!
The lady by the name of Love has won.
__Well, alright, this really wasn't a contest - just a time of fun.

Much unlike Esther's beauty treatments and contest to win the crown.
In the process to gain the crown she "gained some favor"
I wonder early this morning how will we go about our day?
Will I/we be full of "grace and truth" or exercise charm which
can be very deceptive.
What is my/your motivation?........The "crown"or My Eternal King?

Watch for another reading tonight on "the" crown.

Wednesday morning group, you will have a great lesson today, we Monday night ladies
were blown away.

NOT FORGOTTEN

2009-01-29T21:18:00.005-06:00

by Charles R. Swindoll

Read Esther 2:1--7

God's presence is not as intriguing as His absence. His voice is not as eloquent as His silence. Who of us has not longed for a word from God, searched for a glimpse of His power, or yearned for the reassurance of His presence, only to feel that He seems absent for the moment? Distant. Preoccupied. Maybe even unconcerned. Yet later, we realize how very present He was all along.

Though God may at times seem distant, and though He is invisible to us, He is always invincible. This is the main lesson of the book of Esther. Though absent by name from the pages of this particular book of Jewish history, God is present in every scene and in the movement of every event, until He ultimately and finally brings everything to a marvelous climax as He proves Himself Lord of His people, the Jews.

Mordecai was a descendant of one of those exiled Jews. He was a godly man, and his most significant role was his relationship to Esther.

Esther, which is this young woman's Persian name, means "star." This seems appropriate, since she is truly the star of the show, the heroine of the story. The immortal, invisible, all-wise hand of God is working behind the scenes, hidden from human eyes. Only such a gracious and all-knowing Being would have His hand on some forgotten orphan, a little girl who had lost her mother and father and was left to be raised by her cousin Mordecai.

There is a beautiful message here for anyone who has ever experienced brokenness, for anyone who has ever been crushed by life, for anyone who has ever felt that his past is so discolored, so disjointed, so fractured that there is no way in the world God can make reason and meaning out of it. We are going to learn some unforgettable lessons from Esther. Here was a little girl who must have cried her heart out at the death of her parents, bereft and orphaned, yet who, years later, would become key to the very survival of her people, the Jews. God and God alone can do such things---He, in fact, does do such things, working silently and invisibly behind the events of history.

And he is working quietly behind the scenes of your life too.

"Beauty Treatment" #'s

2009-01-28T21:19:00.009-06:00

Congratulations to Melissa Smith!
Who answered our last two questions. She won a small bag with a couple of "spa" treatment
products.

Yes, products to add to the ever increasing number of things we use for "beauty treatments" (Esther 2:3 ) - Have any of you have counted the number of products you use every morning ?- Beth lists hers in Week 2 Day 1. For fun why don't we see the total number we use as a Bible Study group.

Do it anonymously, if you like; but, respond and lets total the number of products we all use.
It's tough being a woman.....taking the time to apply these items but, if I didn't____
well, you fill in the blank.

GOD AT WORK

2009-01-26T21:47:00.004-06:00

by Charles R. Swindoll

Read Esther 1:1--22

Memucan wanted an edict prohibiting Queen Vashti from ever entering King Xerxes' presence again written into the law of the Medes and the Persians---the law which can never be changed. In that way, his suggestion would affect far more than Vashti; it would have a direct effect on everyone's marriage. But if it was an attempt to get the women of Persia to have greater respect for their husbands, it was a strange way to make that happen!

What you have to keep in mind is that Esther doesn't have the foggiest idea that any of this is going on; she knows nothing of the events transpiring in the royal palace. She also knows nothing yet about this "royal edict," which will set events in motion that will totally change her own life. Esther is going about her no-big-deal business, living her everyday life, greeting the sunrise of each ordinary morning, carrying out her day-to-day responsibilities. Is she in for a surprise!

This is the wonder of God's sovereignty. Working behind the scenes, He is moving and pushing and rearranging events and changing minds until He brings out of even the most carnal and secular of settings a decision that will set His perfect plan in place. We see that here, and we'll see it throughout the story of Esther.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that God is asleep when it comes to nations, or that He is out of touch when it comes to carnal banquets, or that He sits in heaven wringing His hands when it comes to godless rulers (even today) who make unfair, rash, or stupid decisions. Mark it down in permanent ink: God is always at work. But His ways are so different from ours, we quickly jump to fallacious conclusions and either react rashly or get paralyzed in panic.

Know this: God holds the future in His omnipotent hands. So you can rest assured.

Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, Great Days with the Great Lives (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2005). Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

Queston for the week: Who was recently sworn into office and is also an orphan?

Reply by comment, please.

Officially Begun

2009-01-21T21:54:00.010-06:00

Ladies,
We have now officially kicked off our study of Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman. The Wednesday morning group met today with with approximately 25 and Monday night we had somewhere around 16. Wow, over 40 women studying a book of the Bible together at The Church at Trace Crossing. That is exciting!

Those of you who missed the Introductory Session. It is not too late - join us.
Just so you know if you miss a session Lifeway has provided a site where you can get individual sessions of Beth's teaching:
You can download individual videos $4.99
or
individual audios - $3.99
This may be the first time in a Beth Moore study that this has been offered. It is a great way to have a video/audio of a particular teaching that you might have missed or one that really meant a great deal to you.

It is time to comment or send Jennie or me a question/writing to post. Thank you Melissa for replying today! What a great way to connect and encourage each other during the week.

To wake you up - here is a question from the Introductory Session:
What is the name of the Jewish feast that when celebrated the entire book of Esther is read?
The first one of you to reply/comment wins a prize from the Corner She Store!
(Take a deep breath, Jennie, I am just kidding...really, y'all, I am kidding -
Did you just hear Jennie scream "WHAT? I DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT DONATING A PRIZE!" Giggle, I heard her.)

While you are replying you can listen/watch a video from the '70's...
(Some of us can sing along with this...)

We're Up and Running Again

2009-01-18T21:24:00.006-06:00

The blog that we used back in 2008 is now up and running again for our study of Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman. Beginning at 6:00 p.m. Monday night (1/19) and 9:00 a.m. Wednesday morning (1/21). If you have not signed up for one of these sessions, you can still do so or just come on the day that best suits you.

Read the following. It is a great read that Jennie found. From her
NEW LIVING TRANSLATION Touch Point Bible - Esther:

The story of Esther is in many ways the story of all of us. Suddenly we find ourselves in the midst of circumstances beyond our control. And then, like Esther, we come face to face with a series of choices. Many of these choices involve moral issues. What is the right thing to do? It might mean the loss of our comfort, our popularity, or even our own life. We may hesitate, like Esther did, but to retreat behind the safety and comfort of the walls we have built around ourselves is actually the most dangerous thing we can do, because it means we have chosen against God and threatened our very souls.

What are you dealing with that is beyond your control? How did you get there? Realize that these are not the key questions. The key questions is, Now what? What can I do to turn this difficult situation into something that serves God and others? Perhaps God has brought you into this situation "for such a time as this," so that you can turn your adversity, problems, weakness, sorrow, or grief into a special opportunity to do something wonderful for God and others.

Jesus Christ is the same

2008-07-25T13:49:00.001-05:00

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)

The present-tense Christ. He never says "I was." We do. We do because "we were."

We were younger, faster, prettier. Prone to be people of the past tense, we reminisce. Not God. Unwavering in strength, he need never say, "I was." Heaven has no rearview mirrors....

Can God be more God? No. He does not change. He is the "I am" God. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

- From: Everyday Blessings Copyright (J. Countryman, 2004) Max Lucado

Today's Promise: Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

Change is great until it happens

2008-06-29T20:42:00.001-05:00

Pity Jay Leno. The Tonight Show host for 17 years, Mr. Leno is scheduled to lose his late night stage at NBC in 2009. Conan O’Brien was promised the spot several years ago, and now speculation is heating up regarding Mr. Leno’s future. Today’s New York Times tells us that the comedian may move to ABC, sending Nightline into oblivion. He may move to Fox, which has no network late-night programming at present. He may replace David Letterman when his contract is up in 2010. He may replace Larry King on CNN. Or he may do none of the above. He’s been making $27 million a year, so finances probably aren’t his chief motivation.

Transitions come to all of us. Today’s Times is speculating on the future at Microsoft after Bill Gates. Tennis fans wonder how much longer Venus Williams will compete at Wimbledon, though she’s still in the tournament and Maria Sharapova isn’t. Barry Bonds is apparently retired from baseball, though not of his own volition. Someone noted that change is good until it happens. Another wit observed that the only person who really likes change is a wet baby.

You can’t step in the same river twice, Heraclitus observed 25 centuries ago. How different is your world from last summer? Gas prices have doubled; two unlikely presidential candidates are running against each other; the subprime lending crisis has affected the global economy; the Texas Rangers actually have some pitching. The Chinese have a saying: to predict is difficult, especially with regard to the future.

We can be frustrated at the unpredictability of life, or we can welcome the changes and challenges it presents. I’m glad it won’t be this hot in October, and that the presidential campaigns won’t last into Christmas. But it’s a mistake for me to wait for cooler weather or less political rancor and miss the privilege of this Friday.

A counselor once told me that 90% of his clients’ troubles stemmed from guilt over the past or fear of the future. What is worrying you this morning? How many of your burdens have to do with this day? And yet this is the only day there is. “Tomorrow” is just a word, not a reality. All of God there is, is in this moment. He is the Great I Am, not the I Was or the I Will Be.

Have you connected with the personal God of the universe yet today? He is waiting to be as real and present on earth as he is in heaven. He stands at the door and knocks—if we will open, he will enter (Revelation 3:20). Philip Yancey observed that God goes where he’s wanted. Have you made him welcome in your day?

from God Issues by

By Dr. James C. Denison
Pastor for Teaching, Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas

June 27, 2008

THE BROOK HAS DRIED UP by Charles R. Swindoll

2008-06-03T06:11:00.001-05:00

Read 1 Kings 17:5--7

One morning Elijah noticed that the brook wasn't gushing over the rocks or running as freely as it had in days past. Since that single stream of water was his lifeline, he checked it carefully. Over the next few days he watched it dwindle and shrink, until it was only a trickle. Then one morning, there was no water, only wet sand. The hot winds soon siphoned even that dampness, and the sand hardened. Before long, cracks appeared in the parched bed of the brook. No more water. The brook had dried up.

Does that kind of experience sound familiar to you? At one time you knew the joy of a full bank account, a booming business, an exciting, ever-expanding career, a magnificent and exciting ministry. But the brook has dried up.

At one time you knew the joy of using your voice to sing the Lord's praises. Then a growth developed on your vocal chords, requiring surgery. But the surgery removed more than the growth; it also took your lovely singing voice. The brook has dried up.

Your partner in life has grown indifferent and has recently asked for a divorce. There's no longer any affection and no promise of change. The brook has dried up.

I've had my own times when the brook has dried up, and I've found myself wondering about the things I've believed and preached for years. What happened? Had God died? No. My vision just got a little blurry. My circumstances caused my thinking to get a little foggy. I looked up, and I couldn't see Him as clearly. To exacerbate the problem, I felt as though He wasn't hearing me. The heavens were brass. I would speak to Him and heard nothing. My brook dried up.

That's what happened to John Bunyan in seventeenth-century England. He preached against the godlessness of his day, and the authorities shoved him into prison. His brook of opportunity and freedom dried up. But because Bunyan firmly believed God was still alive and at work, he turned that prison into a place of praise, service, and creativity as he began to write Pilgrim's Progress, the most famous allegory in the history of the English language. Dried-up brooks in no way cancel out God's providential plan. Often, they cause it to emerge.

Contentment

2008-06-02T06:21:00.005-05:00

We learned the end of last week that the missing young lady returned home....
Answered Prayer - and we give thanks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contentment

He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness and honor. Proverbs 21:21 (NKJV)

In our world, contentment is a strange street vendor, roaming, looking for a home, but seldom finding an open door. He moves slowly from house to house, knocking on doors, offering his wares: an hour of peace, a smile of acceptance, a sigh of relief. But his goods are seldom taken. We are too busy to be content.

"Not now, thank you. I've too much to do," we say. "Too many marks to be made, too many achievements to be achieved...."

So the vendor moves on. When I asked him why so few welcomed him into their homes, his answer left me convicted. "I charge a high price, you know. My fee is steep. I ask people to trade in their schedules, frustrations, and anxieties. I demand that they put a torch to their fourteen-hour days and sleepless nights. You'd think I'd have more buyers." He scratched his beard, then added pensively, "But people seem strangely proud of their ulcers and headaches."

- From: No Wonder They Call Him the Savior Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2003) Max Lucado

Please pray

2008-05-28T22:38:00.003-05:00

Dear Trace Crossing family -
We normally don't use this blog as a prayer board; however, tonight (after the 10 p.m. news) our hearts are burdened. A young lady that we know and love (and love her parents and grandparents) was described as missing since Monday. Please join us in praying for her safe return. She is a Tupelo girl that has grown up in Harrisburg Church. Apparently she was last seen at ICC by the news report.

Thank you for joining us in prayer,
Marilyn and Jennie

LAMININ - Louis Giglio

2008-05-20T06:20:00.001-05:00

HE UNDERSTANDS

2008-05-19T06:08:00.001-05:00

Cries of loneliness. Tune out the traffic and turn down the TV. The cry is there. You can hear their cries. You can hear them in the convalescent home among the sighs and the shuffling feet. You can hear them in the prisons among the moans of shame and the calls for mercy. You can hear them if you walk the manicured streets of suburban America, among the aborted ambitions and aging homecoming queens. Listen for it in the halls of our high schools where peer pressure weeds out the "have-nots" from the "haves."

Many of you have been spared this cruel cry. Oh, you have been homesick or upset a time or two. But despair? Far from it. Suicide? Of course not. Be thankful that it hasn't knocked on your door. Pray that it never will. If you have yet to fight this battle, you are welcome to read on if you wish, but I'm really writing to someone else.

I am writing to those who know this cry firsthand. I'm writing to those of you whose days are bookended with broken hearts and long evenings. I'm writing to those of you who can find a lonely person simply by looking in the mirror.

For you, loneliness is a way of life. The sleepless nights. The lonely bed. The distrust. The fear of tomorrow. The unending hurt.

When did it begin? In your childhood? At the divorce? At retirement? At the cemetery? When the kids left home?

Maybe you have fooled everyone. No one knows that you are lonely. On the outside you are packaged perfectly. Your smile is quick. Your job is stable. Your clothes are sharp. Your waist is thin. Your calendar is full. Your walk brisk. Your talk impressive. But when you look in the mirror, you fool no one. When you are alone, the duplicity ceases and the pain surfaces.

Or maybe you don't try to hide it. Maybe you have always been outside the circle looking in, and everyone knows it. Your conversation is a bit awkward. Your companionship is seldom requested. Your clothes are dull. Your looks are common. Ziggy is your hero and Charlie Brown is your mentor.

Am I striking a chord? If I am, if you have nodded or sighed in understanding, I have an important message for you.

The most gut-wrenching cry of loneliness in history came not from a prisoner or a widow or a patient. It came from a hill, from a cross, from a Messiah.

"My God, my God," he screamed, "why did you abandon me!" (Matthew 27:46)

Never have words carried so much hurt. Never has one being been so lonely.

Out of the silent sky come the words screamed by all who walk in the desert of loneliness. "Why? Why did you abandon me?"

I keep thinking of all the people who cast despairing eyes toward the dark heavens and cry "Why?"

And I imagine him. I imagine him listening. I picture his eyes misting and a pierced hand brushing away a tear. And although he may offer no answer, although he may solve no dilemma, although the question may freeze painfully in midair, he who also was once alone, understands.

- from No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, Max Lucado

A Soft Tap at the Door

2008-05-17T06:52:00.001-05:00

But be holy in all you do, just as God, the One who called you, is holy. 1 Peter 1:15

I have something against the lying voices that noise our world. You've heard them. They tell you to swap your integrity for a new sale. To barter your convictions for an easy deal. To exchange your devotion for a quick thrill.

They whisper. They woo. They taunt. They tantalize. They flirt. They flatter. "Go ahead, its OK." "Don't worry, no one will know."

The world rams at your door; Jesus taps at your door. The voices scream for your allegiance; Jesus softly and tenderly requests it. The world promises flashy pleasure; Jesus promises a quiet dinner...with God.

Which voice do you hear?

- From: In the Eye of the Storm Copyright (Word Publishing, 1991) Max Lucado

Hope for Hurting Hearts

2008-05-14T22:29:00.003-05:00

Have you ever wanted a "do over"? Today's New York Times tells the story of the 14^th unassisted triple play in major league history. Monday night, the Cleveland Indians' second baseman caught a line drive as runners on first and second took off. He touched second base for the second out, and tagged the runner from first for the third out. It's the rarest feat in baseball. He was so excited, as he ran from the field he threw the ball into the stands. That's a baseball he'd like to have back. I'll bet you know the feeling.

We're learning to find the kind of happiness only God can give. Nine decisions position us to receive all that his grace offers. As we learned yesterday, the first is to be "poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3), admitting our desperate need for God's mercy and help. When last did you confess to your Father that you don't know how to live your life, and put him at the controls? What's the last important decision you gave to him first? The last problem you trusted to him in prayer? The last time you did what he said, even though you didn't understand? Would an objective observer say that God is your King or you are?

Now Jesus gives us our next step: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). According to Greek scholar Fritz Rienecker, the word translated "mourn" means "to grieve with a grief which so takes possession of the whole being that it cannot be hid." Jesus assumes that we will all face such suffering. He does not say that we are blessed "if" we mourn but when we do.

How can it be that our mourning will always be comforted? It seems to me that the first beatitude makes possible the second. If we admit our need of God, turning our problem and pain over to him, he can comfort us. If we will not, he cannot.

What is causing you grief or sadness this morning? If sins are burdening your soul, give them to your Father and claim his comfort: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

If you are grieving the loss of one you love, trust your pain to the One who wept at the grave of Lazarus (John 11:35) and thank Jesus that those who believe in him never die (John 11:26). If you are suffering physical pain, put your struggle in the hands of the Great Physician and know that he will heal you physically, spiritually, or both. If you are facing economic challenges or family struggles or vocational difficulties, give them to your Father and claim his promise to supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). The ball is in your hands. Choose wisely.

Copyright © 2008. GodIssues.org. All rights reserved.

Meet WiMax

2008-05-13T06:51:00.001-05:00

Don't you hate to wait on your computer? You wake it up and log on to the Internet, and the thing whirs and chatters and finally connects two seconds later. Then you open a browser and click on a file, and are forced to wait another second or so for the thing to load. That's three seconds of your day wasted. Now someone's going to do something about it, investing a mere $3.2 billion to give you the fastest Internet yet.

Today's Wall Street Journal introduces us to WiMax, the anticipated next generation of the Internet. Financial backers include Sprint Nextel, Clearwire, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Google and Intel. The entire venture will eventually cost more than $12 billion. The new network will theoretically deliver much faster Internet access for cell phones and laptops. It's about time--literally.

You and I live in a "real time" world. It wasn't always that way, of course. I'm old enough to remember when Jack In The Box invented the first drive-through restaurant, with a clown taking your order and someone magically preparing it by the time you pulled up at the window. When I wanted a new bike, we collected S&H Green Stamps for months until we had enough, then brought them to the store, chose the bike, and waited weeks for it to arrive. My sons would understand nothing I just wrote.

Imagine doing today's email essay just 25 years ago at my first pastorate, where I inherited a mimeograph machine. I would use a typewriter to type this essay onto a "master," then affix it to a drum which transferred ink onto sheets of paper fed through the machine. Then I would stack the paper until the ink was dry, put it through a folding machine, stuff the letters into envelopes, lick and seal them, affix stamps, and take them to the post office. Three days later they would arrive in your mailbox.

Now everything's changing, quickly. More text messages will be sent and received today than the planet's population. Google searches this month will total more than 2.7 billion. Three thousand books will be published today. The technological revolution is shrinking the world and creating a global economy and experience.

But the things that matter most won't change. A wise pastor once claimed that every person needs three things: help, home, and hope. WiMax cannot create any of them. The Person who offers them all to your heart today is closer than your computer, more available than email. He's ready to hear your next prayer and heal your next hurt. He's holding you in his hand this moment (John 10:28). Will you hold his today?

- copyright @ 2008. GodIssues.org

Thought

2008-05-12T06:41:00.001-05:00

*At the start of any given day, it is not a bad idea to pray for a fresh touch of God's grace to keep you sane for what lies ahead. Pray not to live in the past, lick old wounds, or nurse grudges. Those things will drive you crazy! Pray instead for the ability to focus on what is positive, honorable, and upright. These things bring you peace! And ask God to let you be authentically and truly human. To be "authentically and truly human" is to be what God created you to be. Reflect the image of our God into the world. Think sane thoughts about your own worth and dignity. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Be true to your commitments. Give your best to every task. And spread some joy in your world. Here is the way Paul said it long ago: "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect" (Romans 12:2 NLT). - Rubel Shelly

A Safe Place

2008-05-10T07:28:00.000-05:00

The following poem sums it up well. In tribute to mothers everywhere:

A SAFE PLACE

She tied your laces so you would not trip,
and held your hand so you could not slip.

She gently wiped your runny nose dry,
and held you close when you would cry.

She sewed the button on your shirt,
and kissed your knee to stop the hurt.

She wrapped Life's gifts in ribbons and lace,
and handed you a world that was a safe place.

The years passed quickly, and along the way,
she guided you so you would not stray.

Now she needs you to hold her hand,
when she's too frightened to understand.

She needs you there to lend an ear,
to aches and pains she cannot bear.

And turn her fears inside out,
and smile for her while she may pout.

She's earned the right, as you well know,
to call you back after she's let you go.

So hug her now and hold her dear,
as she did for you in yesteryear.

- Ruth Sochaczewski
with permission from Horizons Magazine

Invisible Mothers

2008-05-07T22:17:00.001-05:00

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'
Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it? I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel? I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, and she’s gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it. And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies. Then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'you’re gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

CHRISTIAN

2008-05-06T06:02:00.001-05:00

by Maya Angelou

When I say... "I am a Christian"

I'm not shouting I'm clean livin.

I'm whispering I was lost, now I'm found and forgiven.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble and need CHRIST to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"

I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak and need HIS strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"

I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"

I'm not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"

I still feel the sting of pain,

I have my share
of heartaches so I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"

I'm not holier than thou,

I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow.

Fuel for the Soul

2008-05-03T09:25:00.003-05:00

By Dr. James C. Denison
Pastor for Teaching, Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas

Topic: help for stressed souls

Stop and smell the jet fuel. My father used to tell me that I needed to "slow down" when I was eating, or talking, or walking, or doing pretty much anything but sleeping. As Will Rogers said, the older I get the smarter my father has become. Now even the nation's airlines seem to agree with my dad.

Today's New York Times tells us that airplanes are flying more slowly these days and saving millions on fuel as a result. Southwest Airlines is extending each flight by one to three minutes, and thinks it will save $42 million in fuel this year. A Northwest Airlines flight from Paris to Minneapolis this week flew at an average speed of 532 m.p.h. instead of the usual 542 m.p.h., adding eight minutes to the flight and saving $535 worth of fuel. Adding four minutes to its Hawaii flights saves the airline $600,000 a year on that route. JetBlue apparently started all of this two years ago, adding an average of just under two minutes to each flight and saving $13.6 million a year in jet fuel.

Not everyone in aviation has joined the trend. An American Airlines spokesman said, "We have the flying schedule to protect." They'll agree with my father eventually.

So should you. We live in the most hectic, fast-paced, stressed-out culture in history. Our society is changing more rapidly than ever before. Sociologists speak of these days as "whitewater" times. We're rafting faster than we can row, with no real idea what's around the next turn in the river. For instance, today's Times reports that some on Wall Street think the economy has bottomed out and will rebound later this year, but others are quick to disagree. People are buying more small cars than ever as gas prices continue to escalate, but no one knows if the trend will continue. Everyone is wondering how next week's presidential primaries will affect the Democratic race, if they do at all.

In times like these, we will save more than jet fuel if we slow our souls down. For centuries, people seeking God have kept spiritual "hours," following a fixed schedule which stops to pray at various times through the day. The Psalmist said, "Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws" (Psalm 119:164), so liturgical traditions have often recommended prayer at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m., and midnight. Other Christian communions follow the example of Psalm 55:17, praying when they rise, at noon, and before going to bed. What matters is not so much the specific schedule we choose as that we choose one.

When is your next appointment for your soul to meet with your Father today?
from: http://www.godissues.org/articles/categories/God-Issues-Today/This-Year/

Days of Remembrance

2008-05-02T22:55:00.002-05:00

This past week while in Washington D. C. I visited the Holocaust Museum. It was an incredible place to experience. I am so glad I went. As it turned out this week has been known as the Days of Remembrance. Take a moment today to remember those that lost their lives or were prisoners of such horrible monstrosity. -mr
May it never happen again.
http://www.ushmm.org/remembrance/dor

The United States Congress established the Days of Remembrance as our nation's annual commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust and created the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as a permanent living memorial to those victims. In accordance with its Congressional mandate, the Museum is responsible for leading the nation in commemorating the Days of Remembrance, and for encouraging and sponsoring appropriate observances throughout the United States.

Observances and remembrance activities can occur during the week of Remembrance that runs from the Sunday before "Yom Hashoah" (Holocaust Remembrance Day) through the following Sunday. Days of Remembrance are observed by state and local governments, military bases, workplaces, schools, churches, synagogues, and civic centers.

Since 1982, The Museum has organized and led the national Days of Remembrance ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, with Holocaust survivors, liberators, members of Congress, White House officials, the diplomatic corps, and community leaders in attendance.

The Bigger Picture

2008-05-01T20:42:00.001-05:00

Leith Anderson shared a story about when he was a boy. He grew up outside of New York City and was an avid fan of the old Brooklyn Dodgers. One day, his father took him to a World Series game between the Dodgers and the Yankees. He was so excited, and he just knew the Dodgers would trounce the Yankees. Unfortunately, not a single Dodger ever got on base and his excitement was shattered.

Years later, he was engrossed in a conversation with a man who was a walking sports almanac. Leith told him about the first major league game he attended and added, "It was such a disappointment. I was a Dodger fan and the Dodgers never got on base."

The man said, "You were there? You were at the game when Don Larsen pitched the first perfect game in all of World Series history?"

Leith replied, "Yeah, but uh, we lost."

He then realized that he had been so caught up in his team's defeat that he missed out on the fact that he was a witness to a far greater page of history.

"You were there?"

I wonder how often the same thing happens to us. We get so caught up in the "defeats" in our lives -- the times when things don't turn out the way we want them to. So we're depressed because an illness continues to linger, or when people don't treat us the way we think they ought to, or when we face financial difficulties.

But, we are often so blinded by the pain and disappointment of our "defeat" that we fail to appreciate the fact that we might be witness to something far greater that God is doing in our lives.

Remember when Paul was in prison? He wrote to the Christians in Philippi: "My dear friends, I want you to know that what has happened to me has helped to spread the good news." (Philippians 1:12)

While most of us would have focused on the "defeat" (being in prison even though he was innocent), Paul was able to see what God was doing in his life. It's not an easy thing to do. It's never easy to view things from a heavenly perspective rather than an earthly one, but it is especially difficult in the midst of pain and defeat. But it is learning how to have a heavenly view that helps us to know joy no matter what happens in our lives.
(c) 2007 Alan Smith
alansmith.servant@gmail.com
Thought for the Day
www.TFTD-online.com

Four Open Secrets About the Rest of Your Life

2008-04-26T04:56:00.003-05:00

Tell a child you have a secret and you have his undivided attention. All of us children - big and little, young and old - love secrets; love to hear them, love to tell them. Today, I am opening the vault and revealing four of the best-kept secrets in the Kingdom of God.

Secret #1 - God has big plans for you.
Jeremiah 29:11 says it best. "I know the plans I have for you: plans for your welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope." His plans for us fall into two categories - earthly and heavenly.

Secret #2 - He is not going to tell you what they are.
In His compassion, God makes big plans for us. In His wisdom, He does not tell us what they are. He protects us from knowledge of the future for two reasons.
(1) We could not handle it.
(2) We would mess it up.

Suppose you found out that your brothers were going to fake your death and sell you into slavery, and that you would end up forgotten and forsaken in a foreign prison for years. Who could handle such news? Most of us would grieve over such a future and grow bitter toward our brothers and angry at
God. In the Old Testament book of Genesis, Joseph experiences precisely such a fate.

Suppose the Lord told you that one day you would become the king's second-in-command and live in power and luxury for the rest of your life. Who could handle news like that without becoming distracted? This too is the story of Joseph in Genesis.

Scripture promises the Lord will not put more on us than we can bear. One way He does that is by withholding details about our future. The burdens would rob us of our joy and threaten to destroy us in advance, while the blessings would distract us from our responsibilities of the moment.

Secret #3 - God is working on His plans this very moment.
He is getting you ready for the future and getting the future ready for you. Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you. If I go away, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-6). He is getting Heaven ready for us. He is getting us ready for Heaven.

One way God prepares us for future challenges is by giving us difficulties and hardships. He strengthens us the same way a personal trainer builds our muscles: by laying on stress. "It is good for me that I was afflicted," the psalmist said, "that I might learn thy statutes." (Psalm 119:71) That's how
it works.

Secret #4 -- Your job is to be faithful today.
Bloom where you are planted, as the saying goes. The way to be ready for tomorrow's opportunities is to do our job today, no matter how insignificant or routine.

Writing in the Spring 2003 issue of "Columns," the alumni magazine of Louisiana College, Curt Iles pays tribute to science professor Charles Cavanaugh. Early in Curt's sophomore year, he paid Cavanaugh a visit to tell him he planned to drop chemistry.

"Prof," said the 19-year-old, "I thought it was God's will for me to become a science teacher. I enjoyed the biology classes you taught last year. But chemistry is killing me. That little rural high school I attended did not prepare me for this. I failed the test yesterday and I am not going to be able to pass this course. So, I plan to drop chemistry. Maybe God will have something else for me since I can't be a science teacher. I need to find His will."

Suddenly, the professor cut him off. "God's will? God's will? Son, I'll tell you what God's will is for you! Get in there, go to work, and pass chemistry. That's what God's will is for you!" And he stormed out of the office. Curt sat there in shock. Finally, realizing the professor was not returning, he went back to his dormitory. That night, he studied chemistry, and the next day, made a D on the test. At least, it was passing.

"That day," Curt Iles writes, "I decided that nothing was going to stop me from achieving my goal of teaching. I was going to pass this course or die trying." A month later, the chemistry professor said, "Iles, what's happened to you?" He was a student with a purpose.

Before leaving the disciples, Jesus began to prepare them for the future. Peter listened, absorbed all he could, then turned to the apostle John. "Lord," he said, "what about him?" Jesus said, "What is that to you? You follow me." (John 21:22)

God has big plans for you. He is mercifully not going to tell you what they are. At this moment, He is at work getting you ready for them and them ready for you. Your job is to do the work He has put on your plate today.
------------------------------
Joe McKeever
www.JoeMcKeever.com
and sent by The Daily Encourager

Hearing His Voice

2008-04-23T06:29:00.003-05:00

"He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." - John 8:47

Jesus said that the key to being able to hear God's voice is first to be one of His children. One of the great mysteries of the universe to my logical mind is how God can communicate with six billion people on the earth at the same time. It is one of those mysteries I must let go of because my "hard drive" would crash if I had to explain and understand this before I believed and trusted in Him. It is as though God places a computer chip in each human being, and when we place our faith and trust in Him, it becomes activated. We begin to communicate with Him. Jesus says that if we are children of God, then we can hear God's voice. He further explains this relationship in the following parable:

"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice (John 10:1-5)."

The Shepherd is always representative of Christ. Sheep are representative of God's children. This passage tells us that the Shepherd communicates with His children. We are called by name and we can listen to our Shepherd's voice. There is another comforting aspect to this relationship. The Shepherd goes before the sheep to prepare the way. Jesus has already gone before us today to prepare our way.

Knowing the Shepherd and His voice allows us to have the assurance that we will not be fooled by another shepherd's voice. The sheep know His voice. It is only when we are dull of hearing that we mistakenly hear another's voice and follow it. Sin can create a poor frequency in our communication with the Shepherd. Make sure your frequency is free of static (sin) today so that the Shepherd can lead you and go before you.

Finally, distractions can also keep us from hearing our Shepherd's voice. When the sheep get entangled in the fence or wander off, they get too far away to hear the Shepherd's voice. We must stay in close proximity to the Shepherd to hear His voice. Stay close to the Shepherd today. Listen and follow. He wants to lead you.

- Os Hillman, TGIF Today God Is First

Wedding Anniversary Fairy

2008-04-22T06:43:00.005-05:00

A married couple in their early 60's was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in a quiet, romantic little restaurant.

Suddenly, a tiny yet beautiful fairy appeared on their table.

She said, "For being such an exemplary married couple and for being loving to each other for all this time, I will grant you each a wish."

The wife answered, "Oh, I want to travel around the world with my darling husband."

The fairy waved her magic wand and - poof! - two tickets for the Queen Mary II appeared in her hands.

The husband thought for a moment: "Well, this is all very romantic, but an opportunity like this will never come again. I'm sorry my love, but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me."

The wife, and the fairy, were deeply disappointed, but a wish is a wish.

So the fairy waved her magic wand and poof!... the husband became 92 years old!!

The moral of this story: Men who are ungrateful should remember fairies are female :):):)

(Sorry, I coulnd't resist posting this. - mr)

10 Reasons to Hope When You Are Hurting

2008-04-21T21:08:00.003-05:00

1. God is truly in control.
If God is God, then nothing happens apart from His knowledge and permission. While it is difficult to imagine why God allows some painful things to happen, His character, revealed in the Bible and through the testing of generations, leads us to the conclusion that He is willing and able to sustain you during the worst of times. "We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead." (2 Corinthians 1:8,9)

2. There is an eternal life to come.
"Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the Glory He will give us later." (Romans 8:18) "He will keep you strong right up to the end, and He will keep you free from all blame on the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns." (1 Corinthians 1:8)

3. The story isn't finished yet.
Time after time, the Bible records hopeless situations that ultimately ended in victory. Think of Job's sickness, Joseph's betrayal by his brothers, David's adultery and the many who were healed in mind, body and spirit. "But Joseph told them, 'Don't be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people.'" (Genesis 50:19,20)

4. God has not given up on you! Don't give up on him.
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

5. There is likely purpose in your pain.
Ask God to reveal His purpose in allowing this difficulty in your life. That's a legitimate question to ask. Often, the answer comes in the process of dealing with your circumstance. "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when Your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for When your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything." (James 1:2-4)

6. You are loved!
Even the most unlovable person in the world is actually loved so much by God, that He let His Son die a terrible death to restore their relationship. God does love you! He sees your pain and weeps with you. "He has sent Me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent Me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord's favor has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, He will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the Lord has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for His own glory." (Isaiah 61:1-3)

7. Your prayers are heard.
"You parents - if your children ask you for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him?" (Matt. 7:9,10)

8. You are not facing this alone.
"For God himself has said, 'I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.' That is why we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5,6)

9. Others have made it through - you can too.
Try to connect with others who have gone through similar situations. You will find hope, strength and encouragement. "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

10. Reach out to someone else who's struggling.
Place your focus on someone else and invest your life in him or her. You may discover that your peace of mind is found in being a source of hope for another. "All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Steve Arterburn and Mike Marino
Copyright © 2002 New Life Ministries.

New Life Ministries wants to be a source of hope and encouragement for you. If you'd like to know about other resources for finding hope in difficult situations or if you need to speak with someone, call anytime at 1-800-NEW-LIFE.

Anvil Time

2008-04-21T06:03:00.001-05:00

On God's anvil. Perhaps you've been there.

Melted down. Formless. Undone. Placed on the anvil for reshaping? (A few rough edges too many.) Discipline? (A good father disciplines.) Testing? (Buy why so hard?)

I know. I've been on it. It's rough. It's a spiritual slump, a famine. The fire goes out. Although the fire may flame for a moment, it soon disappears. We drift downward. Downward into the foggy valley of question, the misty lowland of discouragement. Motivation wanes. Desire is distant. Responsibilities are depressing.

Passion? It slips out the door. Enthusiasm? Are you kidding?

Anvil time.

It can be caused by a death, a breakup, going broke, going prayerless. The light switch is flipped off and the room darkens. "All the thoughtful words of help and hope have all been nicely said. But I'm still hurting, wondering..."

On the anvil.

Brought face to face with God out of the utter realization that we have nowhere else to go. Jesus in the garden. Peter with a tear-streaked face. David after Bathsheba. Elijah and the "still, small voice." Paul, blind in Damascus.

Pound, pound, pound.

I hope you're not on the anvil. (Unless you need to be, and if so, I hope you are.) Anvil time is not to be avoided; it's to be experienced. Although the tunnel is dark, it does go through the mountain. Anvil time reminds us of who we are and who God is. We shouldn't try to escape it. To escape it could be to escape God.

God sees our life from beginning to end. He may lead us through a storm at age thirty so we can endure a hurricane at age sixty. An instrument is useful only if it's in the right shape. A dull ax or bent screwdriver needs attention, and so do we. A good blacksmith keeps his tools in shape. So does God.

Should God place you on his anvil, be thankful. It means he thinks you're still worth reshaping.

- From On The Anvil: Stories On Being Shaped Into God's Image Copyright (Tyndale House, 1985, 2008) Max Lucado

THE U IN JESUS

2008-04-17T21:47:00.005-05:00

Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God stuck U in the name of His Son.

And each time U pray, you'll see it's true,
You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.

You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.

And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.

Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?

The stones split away, th e gold trUmpet blew,
and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.

When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.

"Go into the world and tell them it's true
That I love them all - Just like I love U."

So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?

It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know,
But it all starts with U.

Remember whose you are...

2008-04-16T21:49:00.010-05:00

I don't know your story and you don't know mine, but we share a common theme. We are driven by the search for true identity, a desire to be understood and appreciated for who we are. We have longing to seek out something more. Those are not evil desires. God gave us that desire to seek the essence of who he created us to be, so that he can fulfill it. He created the thirst so we can enjoy the Living Water. Unfortunately, we spend a lot of time and energy looking everywhere else but to him for that fulfillment.

In Jeremiah 2 God paints a picture of how his people loved him like a bride loves her groom, full of passion and complete in their devotion to him. But their hearts changed. In Jeremiah 2:13 God says that his people have forsaken him, the spring of Living Water, and have dug their own cisterns. They are looking for fulfillment in all the wrong places. You can hear the Father's grieved heart as he lays out their behavior before them and then ends with "How's that working for you?"

My heart sinks as I see the areas in my life where I have chosen to find identity in my own cisterns, rather than drinking the Living Water. We too easily revert back to our own cisterns that can hold no water. Look at the cisterns in your life. What seemed like such a good source of legitimacy suddenly pales in comparison to true legitimacy found in God. That is why it is critical to meditate on the truths of who God is and who we are in Him until it sinks down deep into our spirit, soul, and body. John Calvin wrote in The Institutes Of The Christian Religion, "It now remains to pour into the heart itself what the mind has absorbed. For the Word of God is not received by faith if it fills the top of the brain, but when it takes root in the depth of the heart." Calvin is urging us to drink deeply of who God is and who we are in him.

Take deep drinks of the Living Water of who we are and what we have because of who he is:

He is Jehovah-Jireh (provider).
Genesis 22:14 Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide.
You can be sure he sees and knows your every need.
Ps. 121:3 He who watches over you will not slumber.
Matt. 6:8 Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

He is Jehovah-Rophe (healer).
Ex. 15:26 I am the LORD, who heals you.
You are being renewed.
Isa. 40:31 ... those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength...

He is Jehovah-Shalom (peace).
Jdg. 6:24 ... and called it The LORD is Peace.
You have life and peace.
Rom. 8:6 ... to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

He is Jehovah-Nissi (banner).
Ex. 17:15 Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner.
You are led in Christ's triumph.
2 Cor. 2:14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ...

He is Jehovah-Rohi (shepherd).
Ps. 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd...
You are his well-tended sheep.
Ps. 100:3 We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

He is Jehovah-Tsidkenu (righteousness).
Jer. 23:6 This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.
You are free from the law of sin and death.
Rom. 8:2 Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

He is Jehovah-Shammah (THE LORD IS THERE, Eze. 48:35)
Mat. 28:20 Surely I am with you always...
You are continually with God.
Ps. 73:23 Yet I am always with you...

Stop and allow these truths to sink deep into your spirit. You may "know" these Scriptural facts, but now really receive their truth deeply in your spirit where your legitimacy, identity, significance, and birthright are defined by God.

Remember whose you are... and who you are in him!

taken from Revealing the Treasures available at www.thefathersbusiness.com
sent to me by Susanne Waters (Daniel's sister)

Today on the Jewish calendar

2008-04-15T20:08:00.009-05:00

Today on the Jewish calendar is Nissan 10. On this day, the ancient pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover would be selecting their lambs to sacrifice for the Passover. According to Exodus 12:3-8, each family was to select the lamb and keep it until the 14 of the month and then sacrifice it for the Passover.

The night we studied the Passover when we did STEPPING UP, we talked about what it would mean to select a lamb, get attached to it, and then have to kill it--knowing that we were the ones who deserved to die, and an innocent would die in our place.

I found this blog today talking about this, and a video showing a sacrifice in Jerusalem. This is very graphic, but we can never understand what this means unless we see it.
It is very tough, but I recommend you watch it.
If you need to go back and read Exodus, do so.

But more importantly, remember that Jesus is our Passover Lamb. He died in our place. jl

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Video: Passover Sacrifice in Jerusalem

Recently I noted an article about a planned animal sacrifice in Jerusalem. This event was controversial because 1) there is no temple or altar in Jerusalem today; 2) killing an animal makes some people mad.
Friends in Jerusalem went to the Old City that day and saw a guy they suspected of carrying a ritual knife in his briefcase and followed the guy through a wild maze of streets in pursuit. It turned out they followed the right guy. They filmed the service.
We talked about the appropriateness of putting this online. The 5-minute video is as graphic as it gets. More and more people today don't realize that meat doesn't originate at a grocery store. They have little concept of an animal being raised and then slaughtered. Furthermore, almost no one in the Western world has ever sacrificed an animal for religious purposes.
I think, however, that is precisely why this *graphic* video should be shown. We read about sacrifice in the Bible but we don't really understand what that means. We read passages that talk about the "life being in the blood," but those are just words that we don't really consider. We "know" that the wages of sin are high, but we don't get the life lesson that the ancient Israelites received every year.
The point of sacrifice was simply this: you deserve to die because of your sin. This animal is dying in your place. Watching the priest slice his throat and watching the blood drain out drove the point home much better than reading a chapter of Leviticus.
Today New Testament believers know that the blood of bulls and goats is not enough to take away sin. But I think that we can often just take for granted Jesus' death in our place. We don't think about his innocent blood draining away because we can't conceptualize it. We don't always appropriate the idea of substitute because we've never seen a living object die in our place. But our loss can be this: sin is easy because forgiveness (we think) is cheap.
The video was made by SourceFlix Productions. Instead of dubbing over the scene with English commentary, they chose to include some explanatory text below. Don't watch this video while eating, and if you're thinking about showing your children, watch it yourself first.

Link to Passover Sacrifice video

Passover begins Saturday at sundown.

Related: for photos and explanation of the Samaritan Passover, see BiblePlaces.com (modern photos) or LifeintheHolyLand.com (19th century photos and text). Several years ago I wrote an article about a visit to the Samaritan Passover sacrifice (En Gedi Resource Center).

I Am a "Kept" Woman

2008-04-14T21:33:00.001-05:00

You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind,
but GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)

There were times when I thought I could go no longer,
but the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)

At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong,
but the LORD kept my mouth shut. (Psa. 13)

Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough,
but GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34)

When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up.
When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)

I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me!
I'm blessed to be "kept."

A Good Choice

2008-04-13T21:10:00.002-05:00

Let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith.
Hebrews 10:22

It would have been nice if God had let us order life like we order a meal. I'll take good health and a high IQ. I'll pass on the music skills, but give me a fast metabolism…Would've been nice. But it didn't happen. When it came to your life on earth, you weren't given a voice or a vote.

But when it comes to life after death, you were. In my book that seem like a good deal. Wouldn't you agree?...

Have we been given any greater privilege than that of choice? Not only does this privilege offset any injustice, the gift of free will can offset any mistakes.

You've made some bad choices in life, haven't you? You've chosen the wrong friends, maybe the wrong career, even the wrong spouse. You look back over your life and say, "If only…if only I could make up for those bad choices." You can. One good choice for eternity offsets a thousand bad ones on earth.

The choice in yours. - Max Lucado

from April 13, 2008 devotional on http://www.maxlucado.com

When Your Heart Is Breaking

2008-04-10T22:26:00.002-05:00

by Tom Norvell
copied from The Daily Encourager - April 9, 2008

Question: "Can you die of a broken heart?"

Answer: "I don't know, but there are times when your heart is breaking that you wish you could die. It would be easier than enduring the pain."

Some hearts break because of unfulfilled love. Some hearts break due to unfulfilled dreams. Some hearts break because of the loss of a child, the loss of a parent, the loss of a friend, or the loss of a mate. Some hearts break when others are hurting and there is nothing that can be done to help them or to ease their pain. Jesus expressed this as described by Matthew, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (9:36)

When your heart is breaking you want help. You long for relief. You long for someone who can fix it. Ron Peltzman's little children's book, "Mr. Bell's Fix It Shop," is the story of Mr. Bell, a man who could fix just about anything, "Even a broken heart."

In Michael Card's song, "I Will Not Walk Away," these words speak the thoughts of a broken heart: "Don't read me pointless poems friend. Don't diagnose. Don't condescend. Though you may be right to disagree. I need someone to weep with me."

When your heart is breaking that is what we want, isn't it? We want to know that someone can fix this. When it cannot be fixed we want to know that someone is there to weep with us. We don't always want explanations, even though we may ask for them. We don't need another book to read, or another
famous quote, or another story that proves "you are not the only one who has ever had a broken heart." We need someone to weep with us. We need someone to comfort us.

Job had that from his three friends... for a while. "Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was." (2:13) Unfortunately for Job, they started talking.

Your heart may be breaking today. You may have spent the night weeping. You may be longing for someone to come sit and weep with you. You may be crying out to the Lord for help because you feel like a sheep without a shepherd.

I do not promise a Mr. Bell who can fix anything. I cannot promise that well-intentioned friends won't share "pointless poems" and useless platitudes. But I do promise that you can cry out to the Lord and that when you cry out you will be heard. And, I promise that the One who hears is close and will provide you the comfort you need.

"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34, 17-18, NIV)

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."(Isaiah 61:1-3, NIV)

When your heart is breaking cry out to the One who hears and binds up the brokenhearted. If your heart is breaking cry out to the One who is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

BIBLE STUDY RESPONSES

2008-04-08T21:47:00.006-05:00

In response to my request for information about Bible studies that you are doing, I am posting the following. If you are doing a study or would recommend one, please leave a comment. jl

VOICES OF THE FAITHFUL by Beth Moore Experience the power of story with this moving 366-day devotional for men and women from Beth Moore and the International Mission Board. Written by hundreds of missionaries, it features amazing stories of courage, inspiration and God’s faithfulness to draw every tribe and nation unto Himself. Voices of the Faithful is a living testimony of how God’s heart is moved for the lost by the sacrifice, service and intercession of His people. Learn more

Death of a Nation by Ray Stedman (This study is on line, and can be printed in PDF form)
The tragedy of Judah, as it unfolds in the pages of the Book of Jeremiah, is the tragedy of nations today. This Book of Jeremiah, though written thousands of years ago, is still as relevant, up-to-date and pertinent to our day as it was when first written. The tragedy is that when people forsake God they lose the sense of their own worth. Without exception, when someone turns from God he also loses himself. When the people of Judah turned from the living fountain of God they became like animals, Jeremiah said. They began to act brutishly, and thus to hate themselves. This is always the consequence of a heart which rejects or turns from the living God. When you lose God, you no longer can love yourself. And if you cannot love yourself, you cannot love your neighbor. http://www.raystedman.org/jeremiah/index.html

Breaking Free by Beth Moore (The person doing this study is discipling two young ladies, AMEN)

Breaking Free: Making Liberty in Christ a Reality in Life, leads you through a study of the Scriptures to discover the transforming power of Christian freedom. Based on Isaiah 61:1-4, this in-depth study draws parallels between the captive Israelites and today’s believers.

Beth uses Scripture to point out the benefits of our relationship with God and shows you how to remove obstacles that hinder that relationship. As you identify spiritual strongholds in your life, you will progress on the journey toward greater freedom in Christ. http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/product.asp?ISBN=0767391128

Sparkling Gems From the Greek by Rick Renner (When I heard this I thought, WOW, that would be hard, but when I looked at it I really liked it. Also, it can come to you everyday!!!!)
365 Greek Word Studies For Every Day Of The Year To Sharpen Your Understanding Of God's Word (This is in book form, and also daily devotionals can be sent to your email inbox dailygem@ rrmnew.org)

Getting Dusty
A follower of a rabbi's goal in Jesus' day was to walk closely to the teacher to learn all that he had to teach and then do what the teacher taught. Walking so closely to your rabbi in Israel would cause you to get covered in his dust. To be a dusty person today is to be covered in the teaching of God and to live out that teaching in your life.

Join En-Gedi as it seeks to "get dusty" in God's word. Every two weeks a new bible study will be posted on En-Gedi's site to help you learn, love, and live God's teaching. The current series is "Picture This: A Study of Jeremiah"

FAITH SEES THE SAVIOR

2008-04-08T20:37:00.004-05:00

April 8th - GRACE FOR THE MOMENT - Volume 1

I stand a few feet from a mirror and see the face of a man (woman) …who failed his/her Maker. Again. I promised I wouldn’t, but I did. I was quiet when I should have been bold. I took a seat when I should have taken a stand.

If this were the first time, it would be different. But it isn’t. How many times can one fall and expect to be caught?

Your eyes look in the mirror and see a sinner, a failure, a promise-breaker. But by faith you look in the mirror and see a robed prodigal bearing the ring of grace on your finger and the kiss of your Father on your face...

Your eyes see your faults. Your faith sees your Savior.

Your eyes see your guilt. Your faith see his blood.

-- When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado

Life isn't about waiting till the storm is over...it's about learning to dance in the rain.

2008-04-06T17:43:00.002-05:00

I got this note of encouragement last week, and sent it out to several people. I have been amazed at the responses. One comment was, "Too bad we Baptist didn't learn to dance".

So I started thinking. I am from a very legalistic background when it comes to dancing. It was FORBIDDEN!!!! All kinds of dancing. I remember asking my third grade Sunday School teacher why we didn't believe in dancing, and will never forger her answer. She told me the story of Herod giving a banquet and the daughter of his much disputed wife dancing for the guests. Because her dancing pleased Herod, he granted her a wish of anything she wanted. Not knowing what to ask for, she went to her mother who requested the head of John the Baptist on a platter. (Mark 6:14-28) "That", she said, "is why we do not dance". And I believed her with all my heart. Lord knows I didn't want my head cut off.

I never took dance lessons, not did I allow my daughters to do so. I regret that to this day. It was when my children became pre-teens, that I realized how stupid this

"theology" really was. Scriptures tell of David dancing before the Lord, and we discussed in the study about the priests dancing before the Lord during the feasts. How did we miss that???

I did, what many still continue to do today concerning somewhat controversial topics, I took someone's word and didn't study the scripture. I agree that some of the dance movements tend to be a bit "much", but there is nothing more beautiful than interpretive movement or ballet to the music of the believers.

And I absolutely love Israeli music and dance. So, having been freed from this bondage, I decided one night to try some dancing to Jewish music. I was at home alone, had a DVD to learn by, and the perfect time to try it--no one to watch.

I need to explain about the location of my house. A street intersects to the street I live on right in front of my living room window. That means anyone coming to a stop will be looking right into my living area, where this "once forbidden sin" was about to take place.

I was really getting into the step--of course not perfectly. I have 50 plus years to overcome. But I was enjoying myself very much. I was singing, waving my arms, actually moving my feet. I was praising the Lord!! I whirled around, just like the dancers on the DVD were doing, only to face car lights shining right on me. I forgot to close the wooden shutters. I hit the floor, face down. I don't know how long they had been there, but they stayed, what seemed like, a long time. I guess assuming the show was over, they finally decided to leave.

I know that I should have prayed, "Lord, if you won't cut my head off, I promise I won't do this again". But instead I prayed, "Lord, I know those people out there in that car are laughing their heads off, so please, PLEASE don't let them be anyone I know."

That ended my dancing career. I still have my head on--well, somewhat. And so far, no one has told me that they had some free entertainment at my expense.

So much for dancing!!

jl

A NEW BEGINNING

2008-04-05T21:06:00.005-05:00

I don't know about you, but this past Easter didn't seem like Easter. I think for me, working in retail, it was just too early. We had not recuperated from the Christmas rush, only to be sent spiraling into another busy season. I am thankful for business, as this is how we make our living, but I just didn't have time to adjust.

I will say it again, it was just too early. Now is the time to celebrate. The flowers are beginning to bloom, trees are leafing, birds are singing. Spring is here. And really, this is the right time to celebrate the death and resurrection of our Savior. This took place during the week of the Jewish Passover.

Tonight when the sun goes down, Jewish people will not only celebrate the ending of the weekly Sabbath, they will be celebrating the new moon of Nissan, the first month of the Jewish Calendar. This is the month the Passover took place and the children of Israel we freed from Egyptian bondage.

This comment is from the Temple Institute in Jerusalem:

We know that Nisan, the month referred to in Exodus 12:2, "'This month shall be unto you the beginning of months,'" is the first month of the Hebrew calendar, and is considered the new year for marking the Temple pilgrimages. And we know that the commandment to mark the month of Nisan was the first commandment given to the nation of Israel as they prepared to leave Egypt.

Think about that, this was the first commandment given to the nation of Israel. Not the 10 commandments, or the Shema, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart....", which Jesus said was the greatest commandment. But this, "mark this day as a "new beginning".

If you aren't doing a Bible Study at this time, this might be a good time to start reading and studying the book of Exodus, at least through chapter 14. There are 14 days from the first day until Passover is celebrated. That would be a chapter a day.

If this was the first commandment and a very important one, why don't we consider it as a great commandment for us? What would it mean to us if TODAY, we made up our mind to start over, a new beginning, a dawning of a new day (as we talked about on Resurrection Day). What would this mean to you? Are you willing to do it?

Am I? jl

Chased by Hounds

2008-04-04T20:28:00.004-05:00

The following comes from DAILY ENCOUNTER

King David, the Psalmist wrote: "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed."¹

A. C. Dixon wrote, "A dear friend of mine who was quite a lover of the chase, told me the following story: 'Rising early one morning,' he said, 'I heard the baying of a score of deerhounds in pursuit of their quarry. Looking away to a broad, open field in front of me, I saw a young fawn making its way across, and giving signs, moreover, that its race was well-nigh run. Reaching the rails of the enclosure, it leaped over and crouched within ten feet from where I stood.

A moment later, two of the hounds came over, and the fawn ran in my direction and pushed its head between my legs. I lifted the little thing to my breast, and, swinging round and round, fought off the dogs. I felt, just then, that all the dogs in the West could not, and should not capture that fawn after its weakness had appealed to my strength.'

"So is it, when human helplessness appeals to Almighty God. Well do I remember when the hounds of sin were after my soul, until, at last, I ran into the arms of Almighty God."²

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that when I am afraid of falling and being consumed by temptation and call out to you for help, you always come to my rescue and save me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus name, amen."

1. Psalm 57:1 (NIV).
2. A. C. DIXON as quoted in E.M. Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer. Source: Today's Wit & Wisdom Devotional, http://net153.com.

<:))))><

TANGLED HAIR

2008-04-03T21:14:00.001-05:00

This is from Beth's Moore's "Further Still". It is long, but well worth the read. You will be blessed. jl

TANGLED HAIR

Knoxville Airport - waiting to board the plane: I had the Bible on
my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I'd had a
marvelous morning with the Lord. I say that because I want to tell
you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in
you. You could end up doing some things you never would have done
otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a thousand
reasons not the least of which is your ego...

I tried to keep from staring but he was such a strange sight.
Humped over in a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in
clothes that obviously fit when he was at least twenty pounds
heavier. His knees protruded from his trousers, and his shoulders
looked like the coat hanger was still in his shirt. His hands looked
like tangled masses of veins and bones. The strangest part of him
was his hair and nails. Stringy grey hair hung well over his
shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernails were long.
Clean, but strangely out of place on an old man.

I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning my
face. As I tried to imagine what his story might have been, I found
myself wondering if I'd just had a Howard Hughes sighting. Then, I
remembered reading somewhere that he was dead. So this man in the
airport... an impersonator maybe? Was a camera on us somewhere?....

There I sat trying to concentrate on the Word to keep from being
concerned about a thin slice of humanity served on a wheelchair only
a few seats from me. All the while my heart was growing more and
more overwhelmed with a feeling for him. Let's admit it. Curiosity
is a heap more comfortable than true concern, and suddenly I was
awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-looking old man. I had
walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall.
I've learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something so
contrary to my natural feelings, something dramatic is bound to
happen. And it may be embarrassing.

I immediately began to resist because I could feel God working on my
spirit and I started arguing with God in my mind. "Oh no, God please
no." I looked up at the ceiling as if I could stare straight
through it into heaven and said, "Don't make me witness to this man.
Not right here and now. Please. 'I'll do anything. Put me on the
same plane, but don't make me get up here and witness to this man in
front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!"...

There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness, "Please
don't make me witness to this man. Not now. I'll do it on the
plane." Then I heard it..."I don't want you to witness to him. I
want you to brush his hair."

The words were so clear, my heart leapt into my throat, and my
thoughts spun like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his
hair? No brainer. I looked straight back up at the ceiling and
said, "God, as I live and breathe, I want you to know I am ready to
witness to this man. I'm on this Lord. I'm you're girl! You've
never seen a woman witness to a man faster in your life. What
difference does it make if his hair is a mess if he is not redeemed?
I am on him. I am going to witness to this man."

Again as clearly as I've ever heard an audible word, God seemed to
write this statement across the wall of my mind. "That is not what I
said, Beth. I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to go
brush his hair." I looked up at God and quipped, "I don't have a
hirbrush. It's in my suitcase on the plane, How am I suppose to
brush his hair without a hairbrush?"

God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began to walk
toward him as these thoughts came to me from God's word: "I will
thoroughly finish you unto all good works." (2 Tim 3:7) I stumbled
over to the wheelchair thinking I could use one myself. Even as I
retell this story my pulse quickens and I feel those same
butterflies. I knelt down in front of the man, and asked as demurely
as possible, "Sir, may I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?"

He looked back at me and said, "What did you say?" "May I have the
pleasure of brushing your hair?" To which he responded in volume
ten, "Little lady, if you expect me to hear you, you're going to
have to talk louder than that. At this point, I took a deep breath
and blurted out, "SIR, MAY I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?"

At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the
only thing in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Longlocks.
Face crimson and forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him
look up at me with absolute shock on his face, and say, "If you
really want to."

Are you kidding? Of course I didn't want to. But God didn't seem
interested in my personal preference right about then. He pressed
on my heart until I could utter the words, "Yes, sir, I would be
pleased. But I have one little problem. I don't have a hairbrush."

"I have one in my bag," he responded. I went around to the back of
that wheelchair, and I got on my hands and knees and unzipped the
stranger's old carry-on hardly believing what I was doing. I stood
up and started brushing the old man's hair. It was perfectly clean,
but it was tangled and matted. I don't do many things well, but I
must admit I've had notable experience untangling knotted hair
mothering two little girls. Like I'd done with either Amanda or
Melissa in such a condition, I began brushing at the very bottom of
the strands, remembering to take my time not to pull.

A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that old
man's hair. Everyone else in the room disappeared. There was no
one alive for those moments except that old man and me. I brushed
and I brushed and I brushed until every tangle was out of that hair.
I know this sounds so strange but I've never felt that kind of love
for another soul in my entire life. I believe with all my heart, I
- for that few minutes - felt a portion of the very love of God.
That He had overtaken my heart for a little while like someone
renting a room and making Himself at home for a short while. The
emotions were so strong and so pure that I knew they had to be God's.

His hair was finally as soft and smooth as an infant's. I slipped
the brush back in the bag, went around the chair to face him. I got
back down on my knees, put my hands on his knees, and said, "Sir, do
you know my Jesus?" He said, "Yes, I do." Well, that figures.

He explained, "I've known Him since I married my bride." "She
wouldn't marry me until I got to know the Savior." He said, "You
see, the problem is, I haven't seen my bride in months. I've had
open-heart surgery, and she's been too ill to come see me. I was
sitting here thinking to myself. What a mess I must be for my bride."

Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment
when we're completely unaware of the significance. This, on the
other hand, was one of those rare encounters when I knew God had
intervened in details only He could have known. It was a God
moment, and I'll never forget it. Our time came to board, and we
were not on the same plane. I was deeply ashamed of how I'd acted
earlier and would have been so proud to have accompanied him on that
aircraft.

I still had a few minutes, and as I gathered my things to board, the
airline hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down her
cheeks. She said, "That old man's sitting on the plane, sobbing.
Why did you do that? What made you do that?" I said, "Do you know
Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!" And we got to share.

I learned something about God that day. He knows if you're
exhausted because you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place
or it is time to move on but you feel too responsible to budge. He
knows if you're hurting or feeling rejected. He knows if you're
sick or drowning under a wave of temptation. Or He knows if you
just need your hair brushed. He sees you as an individual. Tell Him
your need!

I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how many
opportunities just like that one had I missed along the way... all
because I didn't want people to think I was strange. God didn't
send me to that old man. He sent that old man to me.

John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We
have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from
the Father, full of grace and truth."

By Beth Moore In "Further Still"

JUST THINKING

2008-04-01T19:42:00.002-05:00

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Psalm 23:4

This past Sunday, Kevin mentioned in his sermon about the Valley of the Shadow of Death being an actual valley between Jericho and Jerusalem. We discussed in the study about the Jericho Road, and this road leads through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. That means pilgrims going to Jerusalem from Jericho would pass through this valley. That means, Jesus would have gone through this valley on His journey to Jerusalem--the journey to the cross.

I wonder what He was thinking. I wonder if this Psalm came to mind as He was passing through. I wonder if He remembered that even though His Father promises to walk with us through the dark valley of death, that He would have to turn His back on Him in death? Why? Because Jesus became the sin of the world when He was on the cross. He became my sin and your sin. And our Holy Father cannot look at sin. And because Jesus literally walked though this death alone, we have the Promise of the eternal presence of our Father. He is our Immanuel, God with us. We do not have to fear death, because He overcame death.

Yes, I think He probably was thinking of what lay ahead. But I think He would have also been thinking about Resurrection Sunday. And that had to have been His comfort. I think He would have been thinking about all of those whom He loves who would believe in Him and would share eternity with Him. He would have been thinking about you and me.

Look at this picture. I think it is interesting that sheep and goats are on that road. It is a beautiful picture of we the sheep in the dark valleys knowing that our Good Shepherd is leading us. That is our comfort. -jl

I Know My Redeemer Lives

2008-03-30T21:37:00.001-05:00

GRACE PAYED THE BILL

2008-03-26T20:33:00.003-05:00

I want to thank Anonymous for asking the question last week, "Is there enough Grace for me?" It is a good question, and one all of us have asked at times. It has made me think and reflect on just what Jesus has done for us at Calvary, and the power of His resurrection.

This will be my last comment about this, but I wanted to think about who we are really are in Christ. The Bible talks about followers of Jesus being crucified with Christ, dead to sin, raised with Christ, being a new Creation. That is crucifixion/resurrection talk--not about Christ, but us. We are crucified and raised with Christ. And when God looks at us, He doesn't see us, He sees Christ.

He doesn't see the sin we once had. All of that was placed on the cross and has been forgiven and redeemed!!! PRAISE GOD!!!! What he sees is the blood of Christ that has covered us, cleansed us and made us a new person.

He doesn't see our bad habits, the drugs, alcohol, eating disorders. He doesn't see the soiled and shamed body. He doesn't see the filthy mouth, the lying tongue, the lustful eyes. He doesn't see the hidden sins that all of us have. When He looks at us, He sees the pure, unblemished Lamb of God who has taken our sin away. And God is daily remaking all of us to be the person He originally intended us to be. It is His strength, not ours; His power, not ours that is daily transforming us.

Now the question is this, Do we really believe it, and are we living our lives in this truth???

I am going to quote Rob Bell from his book, VELVET ELVIS.
"God is retelling each of our stories in Jesus. All of the bad parts and the ugly parts and the parts we want to pretend never happened are redeemed. They seemed pointless and they were painful at the time, but God retells our story and they become the moments when God's grace is most on display. We find ourselves asking, am I really forgiven of that? The fact that we are loved and accepted and forgiven in spite of everything we have done is simply too good to be true. Our choice becomes this: We can trust His retelling of the story, or we can trust our telling of our story. It is a choice we make every day about the reality we are going to live in.

When we choose God's vision of who we are, we are living as God made us to live. All we have to do is trust. Trust that God is already putting us back together.

Trust that through dying to the old, the new can give birth.

Trust that Jesus can repair the scarred and broken image.

It is trusting that we are loved, always have been, always will be.

Trust that we don't owe anything.

Trust that GRACE PAYS THE BILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

We have been in this series, "This is My Story" the past few weeks. Well, folks, this is our story, and God is doing the telling. AMEN!! -jl

HIS GRACE IS ENOUGH

2008-03-25T21:24:00.003-05:00

For any other rabbi, the actions of the disciples of Jesus would have ended their positions as followers. They had totally failed their Master Teacher. Maybe they thought it was all over because John 21 tell us that the disciples had decided to go back to fishing. That was their occupation before Jesus called them out to follow Him.

But Jesus wasn't like other Rabbis. Instead of rebuke, He reinstated them. He encouraged them, and then He commissioned them. WHY?

GRACE--HIS GRACE

They certainly didn't deserve it. There was not one thing they could do to earn the favor of their teacher, and they knew it. So they did the only thing they knew to do, they went back to their old life. But Jesus had no intention of letting them go back to their old lifestyle, and He has no intention of letting us return to our old life either.

Why would He reinstate them? Because Jesus had faith in His disciples. He knew what they were capable of doing. When we see in the text Jesus becoming frustrated with the disciples, it isn't because of their failure, it is because of their greatness. They just didn't realize how capable they are. (Rob Bell)

Then He commissioned them to go and make disciples themselves. WHOA!!! Jesus wants this bunch of rejects to go out and find someone like them and make disciples of them? Yes!! Yes!!! (Do you realize that the future of the Church and the spread of the Gospel was in the hands of the 11 "not-good enoughs"?) But Jesus had done His work well. They would indeed become like their Rabbi, and in turn, would make disciples who would would be like them and in turn, like Jesus. And they did.

We don't have a record in the Bible of the 40 days between the resurrection and the day Jesus ascended, and oh, I wish we did!!! I would imagine those guys absorbed every word Jesus spoke. But before He left them, He told them to go into the world, to preach and make more disciples. And with the power of the Holy Sprit, they did, and the world hasn't been the same since. They turned this world upside down.

Because of their obedience, we are here today, 2000 years later. And the same commission is for us. We are to become like Jesus, and teach others to do the same.

Here is our problem. Just like the disciples, we have sinned--over and over. We have failed Him so many times, we think there is no way Jesus would ever want to use us. But He does. The same grace that extended to the disciples, is extended to us today. He has a plan for our lives, and it isn't to go back to the old way of life. He wants to restore us, and make us whole.

Here is what I want us to think about. If grace costs us nothing, and it doesn't, what is keeping us from accepting it? It really isn't an issue of enough or not enough grace. The Bible says that His grace is sufficient. It just requires the loving gift of our Heavenly Father who willingly gave it to us the day he gave His Son on the Cross. He gave it to everyone who would accept it. The issue is, do we believe this?

Our Rabbi thinks we can be like Him. (Do you realize that the future of the Church and the spread of the Gospel depends on us, the "not-good-enoughs"?) What is stopping us??????
-jl

IS THERE ENOUGH GRACE

2008-03-24T21:50:00.000-05:00

Matthew 28:8 "So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell His disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. 'Greetings,' He said. They came to Him, clasped His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

I have been thinking about something.

We have tried to re-live every moment with Jesus His last week before the crucifixion through the eyes of His disciples. I can understand their frustration, their fear, and even their denial. Unfortunately, I understand all too well the denial part. How many times have I too denied Him. I can even understand their disbelief after hearing the news of His resurrection.

But the thing that I have been pondering is, what were they thinking when they heard the news that he had indeed risen and wanted to meet with them? They were going to have to come face to face with the one they had betrayed and denied. They were going to have to look into the eyes of their teacher, their Rabbi.

To really understand this, we need to know the teacher/disciple relationship at the time of Christ. At the age of 6, young Jewish boys would begin learning the Torah (first five books of the Bible), and as they grew, they would memorize it. By the age of 14 or 15, the best of the best students would continue studying. Most students would leave the school, and learn the family business. (That would be most of the disciples of Jesus). Those remaining in school would seek a well known rabbi to become one of his disciples. The goal of the disciple wasn't just to know what the rabbi knew, but to be just like his rabbi. If the rabbi didn't think the student could make it, he would send him home to work with his parents. (Where did Jesus find His disciples? Working with their parents. That meant they had been rejected by other rabbis.)

But if the rabbi believed that a student had what it took to become like him, he would say, "Come, follow me." (When Jesus chose His disciples, what did he say? Matthew 4:18-22) The student would probably leave his father and mother, leave his village and his friends, and devote his life to learning how to do what the rabbi did. He would follow the rabbi everywhere. He gave up his whole life to be just like his rabbi. (Luke 5:11)

This kind of devotion is what it meant to be a disciple.

So, after following Jesus for three years, listening to His teaching, seeing His miracles, watching Him heal the sick, even raising Lazarus from the dead, the ones He chose to follow Him have failed Him miserably. They were NOTHING like their Rabbi. And now, they have to come face to face with Him.

What were they thinking--and more importantly--what was Jesus thinking?? How would He respond to their failure?

The thing that burdens me is, I too have failed to become like my Rabbi. I know how I feel. But what does Jesus think about me?

Why did He chose those guys to be His disciples? Why did He chose me?

One of the comments this past week on this blog was, "Will there ever be enough Grace for me?"

Was there enough Grace to cover the failure of His disciples? Had Jesus wasted three years of God's divine plan for mankind on a bunch of failures!!

Does He have enough Grace to cover me?

And if the answer is NO, I have another question. Was Calvary necessary??

THINK ON THESE THINGS!!!!!!

We will study more this week. -jl

The Folded Napkin - from Thw Daily Encourager

2008-03-24T00:42:00.001-05:00

THE FOLDED NAPKIN
John 20:1-10

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?
The Gospel of John tells us that the napkin, which was placed over
the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.
The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was
neatly folded and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

"And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen
clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. The Bible takes
an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded and was
placed at the head of that stony coffin." (John 20:7)

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came
to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the
entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the
one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out
of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other
disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in
and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon
Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings
lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded
up and lying to the side.

Is that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you
have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.

The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every
Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner
table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the
master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the
servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished
eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table until the
master was finished.

Now if the master was done eating, he would rise from the table wipe
his fingers and mouth with that napkin and toss it on to the table.
The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days,
the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done.' But if the master got up from
the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the
servant knew that the folded napkin meant, 'I'm not finished yet.'

The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'

Are you ready???

CHRIST HAS RISEN

2008-03-22T23:39:00.011-05:00

Matthew 28:1-4 "Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, the women went out to see the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, because an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled aside the stone and sat on it. The angel spoke to the women. 'Don't be afraid!' he said. 'I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen."

Job 19:25 "I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth."

Revelation 1:17 "I am the First and the Last, I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!"

Things to Ponder

1. Has a new day dawned in my life as a result of the power of the resurrected Christ.

2. Does Jesus really live in my heart?

3. Do those around me know that Jesus in alive and living in my heart?

Celebrate today. Celebrate the Savior. Celebrate the risen King. Celebrate

-jl

MIGHTY TO SAVE

Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus

The last verse in this video should read 2 Chronicles 7:14 the video creator notes on YOU TUBE.

JESUS IN THE TOMB

2008-03-21T21:50:00.003-05:00

John 19:41 "At the place where Jesus was crucified there was a garden and in the garden a new tomb....they laid Jesus there."

I Corinthians 2:2 "For I resolve to know nothing...except Jesus and Him crucified."

Philippians 3:10 "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing His sufferings, becoming like Him in death."

After Jesus died and was placed in the tomb, the Bible tells us that the disciples were all together with the doors locked, afraid. We can only imagine what they discussed during that time. But I think they probably relived the past three years, and particularly the past week they had with Jesus.

They probably remembered the trip to Jerusalem and the fellowship of other pilgrims in route to celebrate Passover. They remembered singing the Psalms of Ascent as they approached the city. They would have remembered His miracles, the teachings, the healings. Thoughts had to reflect the excitement of His entry into Jerusalem and the cleansing of the Temple. They would have recalled the betray of Judas, the humility of the Passover Seder when Jesus washed their feel, the agony of Gethsemane, and their own denial at the mock trial of their beloved Friend. They would have been haunted by the cross. They would have been in complete fear, not knowing if they would suffer the same death. All of their hopes and dreams were over--so they thought.

We too must reflect on the week we have had walking with Christ. But we do not need to be afraid as the disciples were, because we know something that they did not know at that time. Jesus has given us hope--He has overcome death!! He rose from the grave. When we think about all He has done just for us, we should have a greater desire to know Him and to love HIm with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

At The Cross

Oh Lord You’ve searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me

Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There’s no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now

You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me
(Hillsong)

Things to Ponder

Take time today to think about your walk with Christ this week. Ask Him to give you a desire to know Him in a new and better way. -jl

"Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."

JESUS IS CRUCIFIED

2008-03-20T21:38:00.016-05:00

John 19:30 "Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit."

AT THE CROSS

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There’s no greater love than this
(Hillsong)

After a night of a mock trial, abandonment of His followers, ridicule and shame, our Lord was nailed to a cross. There for hours, He suffered alone, forsaken by the Father. Why? Because He has now become sin--our sin--and the Holy Father cannot look at sin.

We must now come to the cross. We must now face our sin. We want to be like the disciples and watch from a distance, but we MUST come to the foot of the cross. Why? It is there we see His precious blood flow--spilling to the ground. The Bible says without the shedding of His blood, there is no forgiveness of sin--and His blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness. So we MUST come and face our sins and receive His forgiveness and cleansing. It hurts to see Him there covered with our sin--but He wants us to come--to show us How much He loves us. -jl

JESUS IN GETHSEMANE

2008-03-19T20:34:00.001-05:00

Mark 14:32 "And they came to an olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, "Sit here while I pray. My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and watch. He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you, Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet, I want your will, not mine." Then He returned and found the disciples asleep.

The book of John records that on the night that Jesus ate the Passover meal with the disciples, instituted the Lord's Supper, and washed their feet, He prayed for the disciples and for all who would believe in Him. That means, He prayed for you and me! They would leave the room and go to a place called Gethsemane (olive press). There Jesus prayed with such intensity that great drops of blood began to seep from Him, just like olive oil would seep from the weight of the olive press. While His disciples slept--our Savior was bearing the heavy load of what was to come. Laying face down on the ground, He dried to His Abba, His Daddy, "If possible--but not my will, but Thine." When He left the Garden that night, He knew that His disciples would abandon Him, and His Father would have to forsake Him. He knew what was ahead. Yet, He willingly went. Why? Because He loves you and me.

Things to Ponder

1. How important is prayer in my life?

2. When others ask me to pray, am I like the disciples and forget--caught up in my own cares and needs?

3. Do I struggle in prayer to know God's will for my life?

4. Am I will to abandon my hopes, my dreams, my plans and say, "I want Your will, not mine"?

OH HOW HE LOVES YOU AND ME

O how He loves you and me, O how He loves you and me
He gave His life, what more could He give? O how He loves you,
O how He loves me! O how He loves you and me!

Jesus to Calvary did go, His love for mankind to show
What He did there, brought hope from despair; O how He love you,
O, how he loves me! O how He loves you and me!

JESUS WASHES THE DISCIPLES' FEET

2008-03-18T21:48:00.005-05:00

John 13:1 "Jesus knew the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love. He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet. He said, 'I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

John 13: 34 "Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

On the night Judas betrayed Him, and knowing the other disciples would soon deny, reject and abandon Him, Jesus showed them the full extent of His love. He assumed the role of an humble servant and washed His disciple's feet. Jesus knew that there was a competitive spirit in the hearts of His disciples. In fact, within a few minutes, the men were disputing over which of them was the greatest. The world would know them to be disciples of Jesus if they loved each other. But for this to happen, and for them to have a great impact on the lost world, they needed a lesson in humility. By His actions, Jesus rebuked their selfishness and pride.

Things to Ponder

1. Do I need a lesson in humility? Do I consider myself "too good" to be a servant to others?

2. Does the world know that I am an Christian by the love I have for others?

3. Can the Christ-like characteristics of humility, servanthood, and love be seen in me?

Ask the Father to show you someone today who needs to know the love of Jesus. How you can serve that person so they can come to know the Savior? -jl

JESUS IS BETRAYED BY A FRIEND

2008-03-18T05:19:00.006-05:00

Isaiah 53:3 "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering."

Psalm 55:12-13 "It was not an enemy insulting me, I could stand that. It was not someone who hated me. But it is you, a person like me, my companion and good friend. We had good friendship and walked together in God's temple."

Luke 22:4 "And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus."

Matthew 26:22 "While they were eating, He said, 'I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.' The disciples were sad and said, 'Surely not I, Lord."

MAN OF SORROWS', WHAT A NAME

'Man of Sorrows' what a name, For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim, Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Betrayed by a friend--betrayed by one who had followed Him, who had seen His miracles, heard Him teach, felt His compassion. Even though we know Judas to be a dishonest greedy man, we ask ourselves, "how in the world could he have betrayed Jesus? Yet when Jesus confronted the disciples telling of the betrayal, they all asked, "Is it I?" We all can betray Him. How? When we choose the world instead of Christ. When we hear His Word, and refuse to believe, we too betray Him. How this must break His heart.

Things to Ponder

1. Do I believe in Jesus, yet live my life as if I didn't? Then I betray Jesus.

2. Do I truly believe Jesus as my Savior? Have I just "joined the church, and been baptized" and have not had real salvation experience? Then I have betrayed Jesus.

3. Do I break the heart of the Savior by willingly choosing to live a life that is not pleasing to Him?

We all have a choice to live a life of faith, or a life of betrayal. -jl

JESUS CLEANSES THE TEMPLE

2008-03-17T06:30:00.002-05:00

Matthew 21:12-13 "Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He said to them, 'It is written, "My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers."

I Corinthians 3:24 "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"

CLEANSE ME

Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.

The temple in Jerusalem was the place where God chose to dwell with His people. To the Jews, it was a sign of God's love--a sign of His commitment to be with them at all times. It was a place of prayer and worship. That is why Jesus became so angry with the money changers and merchants. They were selling Passover sacrificial animals there in the very place that was to be called a House of Prayer for everyone. And, they were cheating the people.
They were desecrating the sacred place God Himself had designed for everyone to pray and worship. They were in the area of the temple set aside for the non-Jews to come and worship. What kind of testimony were they making to the world?
I Corinthians tells us that we are now the temple of God. When we allow sin in our lives, we too desecrate the holy place where God has chosen to dwell. What kind of testimony is that to the non-Christian world?

THINGS TO PONDER

1. Will I allow God to search me and show me areas of sin in my "temple" that need to be
cleansed?
2. Will I allow Him to cleanse me--even if He chooses a drastic method to do so?
3. Is prayer a very important part of my life?

After cleansing the temple, Matthew 21:14 says that Jesus focused His attention to the blind, sick and lame. When we allow Him to cleanse us, we too can concentrate on the needs of others. And, as the hymn says, we are set free.
-jl

JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM

2008-03-16T19:14:00.003-05:00

John 23:12-13 "The crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet Him shouting, 'Hosanna!' 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord' 'Blessed is the King of Israel."

TELL ME THE STORIES OF JESUS
Tell me the stories of Jesus, I love to hear;
Things I would ask Him to tell me, if He were here
Scenes by the way-side, tales of the seas
Stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

Into the city I'd follow, there take my stand,
Waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand
One of His heralds, Yes, I would sing
Loudest hosannas, "Jesus is King."
(W.H. Parker)

I stood on the streets of Jerusalem that Sunday, waving palm branches and shouting Hosanna, "Save us, Save us!" "Freedom, Freedom!" Our king, our Messiah--the Promised One is coming--the one who can free us from these hated Romans is here!! Hosanna!!
I had heard about Him. I had heard that He could heal the sick, that He could feed thousands with very little food. Everyone was talking about His miracles. Some said that He could raise the dead. Oh! The Wonder! And here He is--we can now see Him.
The crowds are all wild with excitement. People put their coats on the ground for Him, but, He doesn't seem to notice. He seems....sad.
He enters the city and comes straight to me. I am in awe--of all the people there, He came to me. He just stands there looking at me. He doesn't say a word. Then He turned around and left me. Why??
Because He was looking at the REAL me. I was caught up with the excitement of the crowd--shouting praises that were selfish. I was thinking about myself--what He was going to do for me.
Those songs of praise were not for Him. I wasn't worshipping Him, and He knew it. So, he Just stood there looking at me, and I was exposed for what I had done. And He left me without saying a word. I am so ashamed. I will never forget how he looked at me--those eyes.
Jesus, please forgive me. Yes, I thought you came to free us from the Romans. I didn't realize you came to free us from sin--from myself. Please come back. Please cleanse me.

The crowds waved palm branches and shouted "Hosanna" that day, and before the week was over, crowds would be yelling, "Crucify Him". They wanted Jesus to be their King and free them from Roman Oppression. But that wasn't His mission. He came to free them, not from the Romans, but from the bondage of their sins. Because He didn't meet their demands and fulfill their desires and dreams, they crucified Him.

THINGS TO PONDER:

1. Have I allowed Jesus to free me from sin, and is he my King of Kings?

2. Do I worship and sing praises to Jesus on Sunday, and betray Him the rest of the week?

3. Is my worship as fickle as the crowd's on the streets of Jerusalem?

4. Are my interests so selfish that I am blind to the interests of God?

5. Do I understand the mission of Jesus and my part in that mission?
-jl

The Journey

2008-03-16T07:51:00.004-05:00

As we journey with Jesus the last week He lived, we want to feel His passion, hurt when He hurt, experience His emotions and suffer His pain.

We have traveled the road to Jerusalem with Him to celebrate the Passover. We didn't realize that this road would lead us to the Cross. We all must face the cross. We must force ourselves to hear Jesus cry out in pain. We must stay there and watch the horror of His death. We must stand at the foot of the Cross and watch His blood drop to the ground.

Why? Because the Bible says that we are all sinners, and without the shedding of His blood, there can be no cleansing and forgiveness for our sins.

Also, without the cross there would be no Resurrection. Without the Resurrection, there would be no hope of eternal life.

As we walk in the footprints of our Savior these last days of His life, we will get a glimpse of ourselves. Will we find ourselves in the fickle crowd waving palm branches, shouting praises to Him--only to betray Him and deny Him before the week is over? Will we feel shame as He reveals the dirty things He sees in or lives and allow Him to cleanse us as He cleansed the temple? Will we grieve as He prays for us in the Garden? Will we know the fellowship of sharing His sufferings? -jl

EASTER OUTREACH 2008

2008-03-14T08:43:00.003-05:00

A Few Thousand Eggs... A Few Hundreds Kids... One Life Changing Story... and a Whole Lot of Fun!

EASTER OUTREACH 08 | SATURDAY, MARCH 15TH | HANCOCK PARK on IDA ST.
It's the greatest story ever told and we're sharing it in a special way on a special day. On Saturday, March 15th we will roll out several thousand eggs for the kids of Trace Crossing and Ida Street to find together. And after the eggs have all been found, we're going to sit down and talk about the one thing in life we are all looking for - a new life, a new chance, a new hope. So come watch a few hundred kids search for a few thousand eggs. Then sit back and listen to the greatest story ever told... and find what you've been looking for.

Have Questions?
Email us (vanessa@tracecrossing.org) or call our church office (662.791.7858)
for more information.

"My Help" - Psalms 121

2008-03-13T09:52:00.002-05:00

My prayer is that this will minister to all who watch and listen........

If You Can Use Anything, You Can Use Me

2008-03-11T14:57:00.009-05:00

I cannot tell you how many times the Lord has used the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir to minister to me when I have been in the deepest of valleys and the darkest of nights. If you knew the history of the choir, it makes since. This choir was formed with people who have been down roads you and I can only imagine.

This song, spoke to me years ago and is a testimony that I still need to be reminded of today. "If you can use anything Lord, you can use me." The pictures on the video are reminders to all of us that God has put us in a paticular position that He has created for us for the purpose of being used for His glory. Yes, even the deep dark valleys. The comfort is, He is with us. May the words to this song be our prayer today. Enjoy and be blessed!! -jl

TO CELEBRATE OR NOT TO CELEBRATE -- THAT IS THE QUESTION

2008-03-07T17:09:00.005-06:00

I have been in a quandary today. I had intended to take down my Christmas Village, but this winter weather has me back in the Christmas spirit. I just took down the rest of my decorations last week, but just couldn't yet part with the village. (I love Christmas and always hate for it to end. Yes, I know that it was over two months ago.)

But, Easter is only three weeks away, and I haven't even started decorating for it. I have these beautiful eggs that I put on my dining room table. And if I don't get them out soon, I will not be able to enjoy them. I personally don't like Easter coming this early, but nobody asked me!!!

So, do I celebrate Christmas and winter, or Easter and spring???

I looked out at my patio where I sat yesterday enjoying the spring weather and the Forsythia and Hawthorn in full bloom. There lay a sprig of mistletoe that had blown down from the tree overhead.

Definite sign, celebrate Christmas!!

But then my husband came in and to settle the issue for me. He was carrying a large bouquet of spring flowers for me. Absolutely gorgeous. Is he in the habit of doing this??? Definitely not!!!!

You see, today is our anniversary, and he remembered. Now that is something to celebrate!!! That either one of us can remember anything is something to celebrate!!!

So, I kept up the Christmas village to remember that LOVE came down at Christmas, I put the arrangement of eggs to remember that LOVE hung on the cross for me, and I look at my flowers and remember that LOVE has kept two cranky old people together for 37 years. - jl

"This is the day the LORD has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it"

Paul Wilbur - Entrare a Jerusalem

2008-03-06T21:18:00.006-06:00

Click below on "Watch and Listen" and Enjoy! - jl

Watch and Listen -

Recipes

2008-03-05T17:50:00.006-06:00

One of the blessings of the Monday night study group is the good food and fellowship we have enjoyed. Many have requested recipes, and three of you have shared yours. I hope to be able to post more in the next few days.

Black Bean Salsa
Shea Harmon
2-15oz cans black beans, drained

1-16oz can whole kernal corn, drained

1-10oz can Rotel tomatoes

6 tbs lime juice

6 tbs vegetable oil

1 cup medium picante sauce

1/2 cup chopped purple onion

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

*Serve with chips

Sausage Dip

Angie Haynes

1 pound of sausage
1 can of Rotel
1 8 oz. pkg. of cream cheese
Brown sausage, drain add cheese back with sausage and then add in
rotel. (I doubled the recipe)

Sausage Bagels

Julie Hinds

1 pound sausage
2 cups of shredded cheddar
1 can cream of mushroom soup
3 to 4 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 bag mini bagels, halved

Brown and drain sausage. Mix sausage, cheddar, soup and mayo. Spread mixture over bagels. Bake on 350 for 10 minutes.

Seven Biblical Feasts of Israel

2008-03-04T20:58:00.004-06:00

Some of you requested a graph of the Feasts of Isreal. I found this, and hope it is helpful to you. jl-------

There are seven biblical feasts of Israel. The four annual feasts celebrated in the Spring have been fulfilled by Yeshua, Jesus. The three remaining feasts celebrated in the Fall will be fulfilled upon His return. The era between these two periods in history are the 'Church Age.' The chart above shows the yearly cycle of feasts and their relationship to these periods in history.

Four Feasts - In the Spring
(Already Fulfilled)

Pesach - Passover:
(Jesus was our Passover Lamb)

Unleavened Bread:
(Jesus was our sinless Messiah)

First Fruits:
(Jesus was the first to be raised from the dead)

Shavuot - Pentecost:
(The Holy Spirit descended)

Three Feasts - In the Fall
(Yet to be fulfilled)

Rosh Hoshanah - Yom Teruah, 'The Blowing of the Shofar'
(Will announce Jesus' return)

Yom Kippur - Day of Repentance
(Judgment Day)

Succot - Feast of Tabernacles
(The Kingdom banquet)

Beth Requests Prayer for Travis

2008-03-04T19:36:00.003-06:00

On the Living Proof Ministry blog this afternoon Beth is request prayer for Travis :

"He is really sick (nothing serious but pressing and almost travel-prohibitive - fever, etc.). He's got several huge things coming up at once that need his utmost attention. First of all, it's his and Angela's darling Levi's fifth birthday (that's their baby) and they have his party today, then EARLY in the AM he's got to board a flight to Puerto Rico for work with the International Mission Board THEN he goes straight into a city back in the States to serve at a church later in the weekend."

Click here to read more . Isn't it great that we don't know him personally but can pray deeply.

I Lifted Up My Eyes

2008-03-03T20:42:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, Suzi Morgan shared this poem that she wrote several years ago while studying "Believing God". Since that time, she has had to walk the road of cancer. But her testimony of the Peace of God is an encouragement to all. I asked her to share this poem with us, as it says exactly what we have learned in our journey of ascents.

I lifted up my eyes and what did I see.

Truth and beauty looking back at me.

From high in the heavens a great sound came;

"My child, it is me, I do know your name.

Do you not see or understand that all of this is in my plan,

That you're not alone; we walk hand in hand.

Come rest in my arms, I have just the place;

Let me be your guide 'til the day when we're face to face.

As the days grow long and you're feeling weak,

Yes, sometimes your way may even seem bleak.

Take heart my sweet child; you shall soar on high,

Just remember, take one day at a time, and then you too shall fly."

Husbands from Mars

2008-02-27T20:46:00.002-06:00

I know the blog has been full of serious stuff, like outlines, testimonies, etc. I felt like it was time for some humor, and I am proud to say that my husband has made a contribution. Occasionally, he makes a statement that needs to be carved in marble. Today he out did himself.

You all know how men are when it comes to shopping. Case in point, have you been in the mall on Christmas Eve, or at Wal-Mart on Valentines Day? They tend to prove that men really are from Mars on those special days. Well, believe me, it is worse when they come in the shoe store with their kids without Mom. It can be a horrifying experience for the employees. That was the case today, twice, and Tommy was the victim.

He came to me and said, "I hate dealing with stupid husbands!" Not men or dads--husbands. I responded with, "Well, welcome to MY world".

He did not appreciate that.

Psalm 133 (JLT)
How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when husbands and wives work together in harmony.

That would be the Jennie Lee translation.

Have a blessed day.

My Experience in the Union Tornado – Feb. 5, 2008

2008-02-25T22:15:00.003-06:00

by Heather Martin
Dear Friends, Family, and Professors,
As many of you know, I was involved in the F4 tornado that hit Union University last Tuesday (02-05-08). Many of you may have already read my account on facebook, but I wanted to give a more detailed version now that I have had a little more time to process. This may be a bit long, but my plan is just to walk you through that portion of my life.

Around 5:30, I was studying at Books-a-million and was planning on riding out the storm there. After a few phone calls from concerned friends, I decided to return to campus. I went to eat on campus with my roommates , Suzanne Short and Kellie Roe, around 6:00. We returned to the room and the weather began to change. It was stormy but it felt like it was just going to be another ordinary, frustrating torna do drill. I was stressing over the fact that I wasn't going to get much studying accomplished. A mentor of mine from church, Julie Boyer, decided to come over and ride the storm out with us. She lives in an upstairs apartment in Cherry Grove and didn't really want to spend that time with her neighbors below. She arrived around 6:30. Soon after, the 3 girls who live above us came down (as instructed). The RAs (resident advisors) were busy trying to make sure all students were in the downstairs dorm rooms. My roommate, Suzanne, is an RA, so she was in and out of our room. We were keeping an eye on the radar on TV, watching the system head straight toward us.

About 2 minutes before the tornado hit, my RA (and roommate) ran in and said, "Get in the tub, now!" (that would be the last time I would see her and know that she was alive until 11:30 or so later that night – as I was trapped, I didn't see how there was even the slightest chance that she was alive and had made it to safety) We headed to the bathroom -- the three girls from upstairs got into the tub.

Then our ears started popping (due to the pressure change). At that point, Kellie was almost into the tub and Julie turned to me and said, "We have to get in, NOW!" We shut the door, Julie jumped in – she was holding my hand – the lights went off – hail was pounding our building – and I was almost completely in when the tornado hit. I still have not come up with adequate words to describe the tornado. I'll do my best. Everyone asks, "Did it sound like a train?" It sounded like a thousand trains. The noise was incredible. It was a roar. Julie was still holding me at this point and I felt my legs being pulled up by the force. And then, everything collapsed. There was a tremendous amount of pressure and it just kept pressing us and pressing us. Some of us were screaming – it was pushing the breath out of me, so I couldn't scream. All of what I have just described occurred in ab out 5 or 6 seconds. As things were falling and the wind was swirling around us, I remember thinking, "This is NOT happening to me".

As quickly as it came, it left. And then there was an eery silence and darkness. I couldn't see anyone in the tub with me. It was so hard to breathe. There was a wall pressing down across my back, and my legs hadn't made it into the tub. After being pulled by the tornado, they (my legs) got pinned between a wall of debris and the edge of the tub. I can't describe my body position because it was so contorted, you would have to see a picture. One of the girls was able to call 911. She had her cellphone and thankfully could move enough to make the call. We found out later we were the first call from Union.

My initial thoughts were: "Every student on this campus is either dead or trapped like we are. This is where I am going to die. No one will ever find us. We will be here for days and we won't last that long". We all acco unt ed for each other and tried to calm each other down. Then, very methodically, I began to assess my situation. I realized my legs were pinned – but I felt no pain – breathing was going to be my biggest issue – and I was pinned under the wall (floor above us, really). I began to think about what my death would be like. I only had a small pocket of air and my whole body was compressed. I realized I was going to pass out, and then I would be with Jesus. To some of you, that may sound very morbid, but it actually allowed me to move on and not panic in fear about the process of my death. At that point, I realized someone right next to me was breathing her last breaths. I had no idea who it was. I called out Julie's name, the breaths were interrupted, and she responded to me. At this point, my heart sank. It felt like someone had stabbed it. I thought, "Dear Lord, I cannot handle losing another friend". I began to pray out loud – telling Julie to breathe, not to talk, just to breathe – I was positioned on top of her in such a way that if I moved, she either couldn't breathe or it caused her excruciating pain. I cannot even begin to describe the fear in my heart that this precious person was going to die underneath me. I prayed aloud – I tried to quote Scripture – at some point I found Kellie's hand and she was praying as well. I realize now, Christ was guiding my thoughts from the very beginning – after coming to grips with the fact that this would most likely be the night of my death, I was able to move on and focus on simply breathing. I continued to pray aloud, and then at one point I had to tell Julie that I was out of breath and couldn't pray out loud anymore, but that I was still praying in my heart and mind. Please do not see this as my being "strong" or "brave" or "courageous" – this was the power of Christ in me. He guided me in my thoughts – He helped me to focus on breathing, praying, and helping/encouraging Julie to breathe. This whole experience was terrifying – but God was in the midst of us. I recall at times just crying out "God, You are here, You are here – give us strength, sustain us".

At one point, Kellie very calmly said, "Heather, it's going to be okay". Kellie now has no recollection of this. God used her and spoke through her directly to me in that moment. It was at that point that I had an overwhelming sense of peace. Peace – not because I was confident that we would be rescued – but peace from the fact that we were either going to join Christ in heaven or He was going to sustain us and leave us here on earth for a little while longer.

The tornado struck at 7:02 – the firemen arrived around 7:15. We were told later that when they arrived, the chief got out and was overwhelmed with the destruction. He sent off the team in twos to listen for voices. Students began to crawl out of their bath tubs. He heard muffled sounds near the pile of debris that used to be my dorm room. There were 15 ft . of rubble on top of us. They had to remove it by hand. (an earlier account said by backhoe, but that was a rumor)

When the rescuers got close to us, it got really scary. Julie's breathing was terrible at this point and she was in and out of consciousness. As the rescuers neared our tub, it was terrifying because the rubble and debris would shift and the pressure would increase. Several of the girls were screaming – I was trying to breathe and couldn't scream very well. Finally light broke through. But Julie wasn't doing well. I couldn't move because it hurt her and she couldn't breathe. Her neck was exposed in such a way that if the rescuers slid the debris off, her neck would snap. She told me later that she was thinking, "I've survived the tornado, only to be killed in the rescue." She told me I had to tell them where she was. The firemen were telling us not to scream and panic, because they thought we were in pain each time we did. At this point, I could s ee one of the fireman's face. I screamed at him. I said, "Can you see my face??" – (he could) – then I screamed out, "I am not panicking. You have to listen to me. There is someone stuck under me and if I move she can't breathe. Her neck is exposed, so you can't slide the debris. You have to lift it." Then, they lifted off the main piece, and for the first time in 45 minutes, we could breathe in fresh air!!

They got the other girls out and Julie and I were left. They tried to get me next, but my legs were still pinned. So, they got Julie out. Then, a fireman came and held me. He held my torso and my head. He kept telling me, "We're gonna get you out of here." It took a lot of maneuvering and strength on the part of the rescuers because I couldn't feel my legs unless there was a lot of pain – and I couldn't feel them enough to pull them out myself. I noticed there was a 2x4 right next to my right knee, between the edge of the tub and the mass of debris. That 2x4 had kept just enough of the pressure off of my legs so that I didn't completely lose blood flow to my lower extremities. It saved my legs.

We were rescued. We sustained only minor injuries. I ended up being taken to the ER because I passed out, but it was just from the shock. My body is intact. I am now walking around without a limp and I am just experiencing pain from the strained muscles in my back. As I have reflected over Tuesday night, I see the Lord. I cannot explain our survival – and the fact that there were NO fatalities – aside from the fact that God loves us a whole lot and He is not through with us here on earth. The destruction and chaos of Tuesday night is incredible. The amazing power, strength, grace, and love of Jesus Christ is the only explanation I have to offer. In the midst of the chaos and rubble, He knew how each board, each brick, each piece of metal and concrete were placed – and He protected us. Another thought that keeps recurring is the testimony of the father of my friend who was killed in an avalanche a month ago. She died and her brother (who was hiking with her) made it out. Their father said, "Our God saves. He saved Nick from the avalanche, and He saved Lygon (my friend) unto Himself." Those words ring so true of my experience. I have struggled in the past with my faith – wondering if I were "truly saved" – wondering what my last thoughts would be. Well, now I know. My "last thoughts" were: "God has me. Either way I am okay. I will either join Him in heaven, or He will save me for yet a little while longer here on earth."

My desire as you read my story is that you will be impressed with the Lord. Do not call me a hero. Every thought I had Tuesday night was guided by Christ – the calmness I had was directly from Him – He gave me peace – He sustained me by His grace and strength. I have struggled and fought against the Lord a whole lot in the last couple of months. I've struggled to trus t Him – to accept His unconditional love for me. Yet, He proved Himself in such a mighty way Tuesday night. I am amazed at His goodness – His faithfulness. I hope you are as well. He is a mighty God.

I have lived through a tornado. However, I am not fearless. The next few weeks and months actually are a pretty scary thought to me right now. I have a lot to work through. There are sounds and feelings stored in my memory that are terrifying and paralyze me at times. My mentor and dear friend almost died underneath me. I am struggling to come to grips with that. I am struggling to sleep because there are so many vivid images and feelings when I shut my eyes. However, I find hope in this: God knew, as I lay pinned in that tub, that I would make it out. He is the One responsible for getting me out. Simply put, He is not through with me yet. He already knows what each and every second of the next few weeks and months hold for me, my friends, and my family. And knowing that , gives me hope – it keeps me going. He sustained me through Tuesday night and He will continue to sustain me in the days that follow. My friend Beth McDowell, a nurse who was on site Tuesday, (and was with me right as they were putting me onto the stretcher) quoted these verses to me: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed" – 2 Corinthians 4:8,9
As you have read my story, you've read a lot about God. It may sound a bit odd if you don't know Him personally. But here's the truth: I cannot explain ANY of the events of Tuesday without acknowledging that God was there – He sustained and covered us all with His protection. I should not be alive today -- but I am because He still has plans for my life here on earth. He is good. If you don't know Him, you need to. He loves you. He wants a relationship with you. I pray that through my story, you have caught a glimpse of who He is – His love – His sovereignty – His strength – and His grace – and ultimately, His salvation.

Psalm 130

2008-02-21T22:42:00.003-06:00

I have not posted the outlines from Warren Wiersbe's study in several days because, as much as I liked them, they weren't relevant to where Beth was taking the study that particular day. However, the outlines for Psalm 130 spoke to me, and I want to share them with you.

Wiersbe says that Psalm 130 emphasizes what God does for helpless people who cry out to Him for mercy. No matter what our need, when we call upon the Lord IN FAITH, He hears us and makes the changes needed in our lives.

From Death to Life (vv.1-2)
"The picture is that of a person drowning and unable to stand on the bottom or swim to safety. We can cry out to God from the depths of disappointment and defeat and from the depths of fear and perplexity. Sin drags its victims to the depths, but God made us for the heights."

From Guilt to Forgiveness (vv.3-4)
"The psalmist moved from the sea to the courtroom, but there the sinner could not stand because of guilt. The only way we can get rid of the sin record is to come to God for His gracious forgiveness, and this forgiveness is made possible because of the work of Christ on the cross. But forgiveness is not a blessing to be taken lightly, for it cost God His Son; therefore, we ought to love and fear God. If you take seriously the guilt of sin, you will take seriously the grace of forgiveness. Salvation is a serious and costly transaction."

From Darkness to Light (vv.5-6)
"From the courtroom we move to the city walls where the watchmen are alert as they peer through the darkness to detect the approach of any danger. When the Lord forgives sinners, it is for them the dawning of a new day as they move out of darkness into God's light. If you find yourself forgiven but still in the darkness, wait on the Lord and trust His Word, but do not try to manufacture you own light (Isa. 50:10-11)."

From Bondage to Freedom (vv.7-8)
"The final visit is to the slave market and the theme is redemption, which means 'setting someone free by paying a price.' The slave has no hope, but the child in the family looks forward to receiving an inheritance. All who trust Jesus are children in God's family and not slaves, and their future is secure. Christian believers look forward to the coming of Christ and the redemption He brings."

Dear Friends

2008-02-18T17:51:00.001-06:00

Just wanted to share some of my thoughts with you from week four, A Fruitful Vine. Many of you are aware of my recent divorce after 19 years of marriage. Well, it is not so recent anymore. It will be a year on February 28. WOW, that is hard to believe. This past week was very meaningful to me because I could see myself and my situation right in the middle of it. On day two, Enjoy the Blessing, Beth spoke words that I remember speaking so often in the early days of my separation. I spoke these words and on many days these words were what got me through the day. I would often say, "God is not ALL that I have, but WHAT I have!" PRAISE HIM!!!!!

As I worked through this particular day, Beth wrote this: "Blessedness describes the condition of a person who reveres God, steeps her life in Him and follows His ways. She looks to Him in every matter. HE'S NOT JUST THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF HER LIFE. HE IS HER LIFE."

I pray that I will never, ever forget or diminish the fact that..... HE IS WHAT I HAVE!!!!

Forever grateful,
Jan Carpenter

The Father's Love Letter

2008-02-14T06:37:00.003-06:00

Ladies,

This a website I go to each year around Valentines Day:

http://www.fathersloveletter.com/flltextenglish.html

Be blessed as you celebrate those you love today, -mr

Psalm 127:3

2008-02-12T21:12:00.008-06:00

I have struggled today with our text, "Children are a gift from the Lord"

I certainly can agree with the Psalmist. God gave us two beautiful daughters, and I have loved every moment of their lives--well there were a few days in those teen age years!!! God has indeed been good to me, and I am grateful.

Then I read Beth's blog and her tribute to her younger daughter who is to be married soon. It brought tears remembering when my girls got married. I tell you, a small part of me died then. I have two of the best sons-in-law anyone could possibly wish for. And if I started talking about my three grandchildren, well, I tend to get a little bit crazy there!!! I truly can say, my children are a gift from the Lord, one I certainly did not deserve. I am grateful.

Then I read Week 4 Day 1 and was reminded that so many desired to have children and have not yet been able to do so. Such is my sister, but she is the best "other" my grands could ever want. I know that she would tell you that children are indeed a gift from the Lord. And I am grateful for her.

Then I read Boo Mama and saw the faces of those children in Uganda. They are some mother's children, some aunt's niece or nephew, some grandmother's grand. And even in their horribly poverty stricken condition, they are a gift from the Lord.

And they might also need to be somebody's "other". jl

Sowing in Tears - Psalm 126

2008-02-09T07:54:00.000-06:00

Sowing In Tears
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Saturday, February 09 2008

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." - Psalm 126:5

Psalm 126 describes an interesting process that goes against our natural tendencies when we are taken into a difficult period in our lives. Whenever we are hurled into a crisis that brings tears, our tendency is to retreat or recoil in fear and hurt. However, there is a better way that God tells us to handle such times of travail.

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him" (Ps. 126:5-6). God is telling us that if we will do what is unnatural for us in these circumstances, He will make sure that what we sow in tears will return in joy. This is one of the most important lessons I have learned when faced with difficult circumstances. Rather than sit back and allow self-pity and discouragement to consume us, we should plant seed during this time. Reach out to a person who needs a friend. Invest in the life of another. See where you can be a blessing to someone. Give of yourself.

The psalmist acknowledges that we are doing this while we are in our pain. However, during this time we are to sow seed. That seed will return to us in another form. Here is what will happen when we do this. "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." We will receive joy and fruit from the seed that we plant during this time. Sheaves represent the fruit of a harvest. We will actually get a harvest from this seed.

"You must not let the circumstances destroy you! Too many in the Kingdom are counting on you to come through this because of the calling on your life!" Those were the words spoken to me by a friend one time when I was in the midst of a very difficult business and personal circumstance that was threatening to destroy me emotionally. This person saw what God was doing and the fruit that God wanted to bring from these circumstances. Sometimes we need others around us to push us through the difficult times. If you find yourself in a difficult place today, see where you can sow some seed. Soon you will be reaping songs of joy.

from TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

You can sign-up for Today God Is First at http://www.marketplaceleaders.org/

MAXINE??

2008-02-08T23:48:00.001-06:00

Have yall met Maxine? I'm sorry, maybe it is my age, but I love her. If you don't know her, she is Hallmark Greeting Cards' crabby character that has sold millions of cards. Somehow, her irreverent quips about aging, the workplace and political correctness has struck a cord. The thing that struck me with this one, especially since we have been talking about spring cleaning during the Lenten season, is that we use every excuse to avoid letting God do the necessary cleaning to make us more like Him. Unfortunately, we chose to look like Maxine. But anyway, if this works on your house, so be it, but let's let God clean our spiritual house, okay? jl

THIS SURE SOLD ME! I AM GOING

TO THE DOLLAR STORE TODAY

& GET A DOZEN!

Maxine's Good Housekeeping Tip#1

Always keep several

get well cards on the mantle...
So if unexpected guests arrive,
They will think you've been sick

and unable to clean.

"Faith is the Victory" - Psalm 125

2008-02-08T21:40:00.000-06:00

The old hymn, "Faith is the Victory" could be the theme of Psalm 125. I hope these outlines of Warren Wiersbe are a help to you. -jl

PSALM 125
Week 3

There are three kinds of people mentioned in this Psalm. Those who trust in the Lord, those who compromise with the enemy, those who deliberately go the wrong path. This Psalm also names the benefits that faith and faithfulness bring to God's people.

FAITH KEEPS US STANDING (vv.1-2)
Spiritual security and stability belong to those who trust in the Lord and walk by faith.

FAITH KEEPS US OBEYING (v. 3)
The prevalence of evil makes it easier for everybody to sin, but the Lord will not permit this to go on forever. The people who trust God will obey His Word no matter what others may do, and will not succumb to temptation.

FAITH KEEPS US PRAYING (v.4)
To live by faith is to keep our eyes on the Lord, rest on the promises of His Word, and do what is right no matter what others may say or do. Faith means living without scheming.

FAITH KEEPS US HOPING (v.5)
The future is your friend when Jesus in your Lord.The life of faith is not easy, but the life of unbelief is much harder--in this life and in the life to come.

REPAIRING BROKEN BRIDGES

2008-02-07T20:17:00.000-06:00

We have been talking about the Lenten season when those who observe it spend time fasting, praying and drawing closer to God. I received a note from the Temple Institute in Jerusalem that was so interesting, and I had to share it with you.

Today is February 7, 2008 on the Gregorian calendar which we use. But it is Adar Rishon 5768 on the Jewish Calendar. The Jews operate on a lunar calendar and count time from creation, whereas we count from the death of Jesus. But what is interesting, with the lunar calendar, there has to be an extra month added occasionally so that Passover can be observed at it's proper time. Adar Rishon is that month. It only occurs seven out of nineteen years, and today begins that month. Remember that I told you that when God told Moses to celebrate Passover, He told them that this was to be the first month of their year. (Exodus 12:1)

For what reasons do we invoke the thirteenth month? Today it is for the purpose of ensuring that the Passover commemoration of our miraculous emergence from Egypt is observed in its appointed season: the time of Aviv (ibid 13:4), when the flax and barley are ripening (ibid 9:31), after the vernal equinox. During the days of the Holy Temple the Sanhedrin could declare an Adar Rishon when it was clear that the winter rains had caused damage to the roads and bridges, or erased traces of burial sites. In order to ensure that every Jew could complete his pilgrimage to the Holy Temple and participate in the Passover offering, the extra month was declared, granting extra time for the roads and bridges to be repaired and the graveyards to be clearly marked so that travelers would not inadvertently tread over them. To repair the broken paths and bridges that separate us from G-d - this is the proper way to spend this timeless month of Adar Rishon! To use this time to reflect on those who came before us, and to honor them as we mark our own path to the Holy One, Blessed be He - this is a fitting way to engage in G-d's creation and to bring it to a purposeful conclusion!

Time created, whether by G-d, or by man, as in the case of Adar Rishon, is much too precious to squander.

Isn't that what Lent is, a time to repair the broken paths and bridges that separate us from God? On our journey to Jerusalem, I hope we have seen that there are indeed things in our lives that need mending. So as the Christian world is fasting and praying as we draw near to God, and Jewish world is spending time doing the same, wouldn't it be something if we just do it together! If we allowed that "wall of separation" to really be torn down and never be rebuilt. If we allow God to repair the broken paths and bridges that separate us from Him, and tear down the walls that separate us from His people, wouldn't worship be unbelievable.

Talk about release from bondage!! It might even make the exodus from Egypt pale in comparison. Why not just let is start with us. -jl

Ash Wednesday Experience

2008-02-07T19:56:00.000-06:00

Marilyn asked me to write to you about our Ash Wednesday experience today. She and I attended a service celebrating Ash Wednesday at All Saints Episcopal Church during our lunch hour. I think she may have been a bit nervous about going since the Episcopal Church can be a bit intimidating to those not accustomed to the service. First off, there is a lot of sit/kneel/stand, sit/kneel/stand and when you don’t have someone versed in the tradition you often find yourself standing when all others are kneeling and kneeling when they’re standing. But Marilyn’s curiosity and commitment to this Lenten season got the best of her so off we went.

We sat in the back of the church so if things got too rough – or too long – we could slip out. To Marilyn’s surprise, and my relief, she found it to be a very meaningful service.

Growing up in the Episcopal Church, I am accustomed to giving up things for Lent: things like chocolate, sweets, even cokes, but I’ve never thought of giving up those barriers I place between myself and God that keep me from knowing him deeper.

The sermon began with a description of Shrove Tuesday (which was yesterday and which is also referred to as Fat Tuesday in Mardis Gras terms). It is a time of celebration involving costumes and masks. It is the last hoorah. Today, on Ash Wednesday, we are to remove those masks, remove those personas that we wear in our daily lives; the ones that we use to hide ourselves and to guard us against life and come before God as we are, our true selves, right where we are today.

We were invited to the altar to receive the blessing and imposition of ashes. “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” was recited as each person knelt at the altar. What a powerful message that was on its own, but to hear it so many times only reinforced its meaning.

Marilyn and I enjoyed sharing Ash Wednesday service today with our fellow Christians; it was a worthwhile experience for the both of us. We are eager to use this Lenten season and this Bible study to remove those barriers that keep us from knowing God more fully and to use this time to reenergize our relationship with him. –Julie Hinds

ASH WEDNESDAY

2008-02-05T20:11:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of a 40 day period when many Christians prepare themselves to celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. This season, known as Lent, is used as a time to examine their lives, to turn their backs on the sin that so easily creeps into our lives, and to re-dedicate their lives to God.

Sounds to me like what our pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover would be doing as they sang the Psalms of Ascent. They would be going to celebrate their redemption from Egyptian bondage. These Psalms reflect the heart of the pilgrim as they too, begin the process of examining their lives as they approach the temple of God. Christians now will be celebrating the redemption of our bondage of sin by The Passover Lamb.

Those who observe Lent, prepare themselves by asking God to show them their failures and repenting of their wrong doings. It is a time for new beginnings that start with repentance and receiving the forgiveness of God. It is a time of self sacrifice and self discipline. It is a time of fasting and praying. Many choose to "give up" things in their lives that hinder them from being the type of follower that Jesus would have us to be.

I started observing Lent several years ago, and I can tell you, that it has been a huge difference in how I celebrate the Easter season. Working in retail during the "religious holidays", I tend to lose the meaning of what we are really celebrating. I know many of you have been in Christian denominations that celebrate the Lenten season. Most of us have not had that privilege. Please share your experiences with us.

As we travel the road to Jerusalem together, may we use this time to re-examine our own lives, and allow God to do some "spring cleaning". It will require sacrifice on our part, but remember, the One who is the ultimate Sacrifice, is the one we most desire to imitate. It's worth the journey. - jl

Rainy Days and Mondays.....

2008-02-04T06:18:00.000-06:00

Not many of us were around when that song began playing on the radio. However, I was at Milam Jr. High School and really loved it. This morning's rain and rolling thunder reminds me He is in control and still speaks.

Please plan on being present TONIGHT even if you are behind in your homework. The Passover observance and teaching will open your eyes and speak to your heart. Jennie does a great job with this and there will be s a surprise story teller assisting her.

By the way, look to your right at the added tool that you may use in your Bible study time. If you don't know how to use Bible Gateway or have not before, we will go over that tonight also. It is easy and amazing what all you can search.

We live in exciting times and difficult days, encourage one another. - mr

If the Lord Had Not . . . We Could Not

2008-02-02T07:50:00.000-06:00

WOW!! Week 2 has been something else hasn't it. As I told you earlier, Psalm 122-24 have been described as problems along the way in our spiritual journey. I think we all can easily relate to this. Ancient pilgrims on the way to Jerusalem most certainly could. Warren Wiersbe states in his commentary that sometimes we face emergencies that are more than we can handle.. That is when we turn to the LORD for help, because He is own our side.

The Sudden Attack (vv.1-2)
Our enemy Satan does not give advance warning of his attacks; therefore, we must be sober and vigilant (I Peter 5:8), put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18), and be alert in prayer. If we are walking with the LORD, we need not feel unprepared for the enemy's attacks.

The Deepening Flood (vv.3-5)
There are situations where we stand helpless as the problem gets worse and worse. This is an image of persecution that God's people go through. But if God is on our side, He will provide a way of escape.

The Menacing Beast (v.6)
Again, another picture of persecution. Like a cunning animal, Satan stalks us and waits until we have relaxed our guard, and then he pounces. But the LORD is stronger than Satan, and if we are abiding in Him, we can win the victory.

The Hidden Trap (vv.7-8)
We must use the Word of God to throw light on our path so we can detect and avoid the devil's traps. Satan always has fascinating bait to offer. The LORD may allow allow us to fall into a trap, but nobody can keep us when He wants us to be free. The LORD not only opened the trap, but broke it so it cannot be used again!! The death an resurrection of Jesus Christ has broken the dominion of sin and death and we can walk in freedom though Jesus.
Praise God, we are not helpless!! "Our help is in the name of the Lord" WW

Let me assure you ladies, Satan does not want us to take this journey. And, if you haven't felt that this week, be assured that I have. So we might ask, "Why go?" The next few Psalms in the Ascent will help us understand. Stay in the WORD!!! jl

The Rainy Day

2008-02-01T18:35:00.000-06:00

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the moldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the moldering Past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast
And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

My Dad loved poetry, and this was one he often quoted. I was reminded of it yesterday, as the words describe the day we had. Not only was it a cold, gloomy day, it seems that every other minute I heard bad news. Just made me want to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head.

Reminds me of our study. On our journey to Jerusalem, we have deep rivers to cross, mountains to climb, and valleys to descend. There are attacks from the enemy that sometimes catch us by surprise. Some days are just dark and dreary. Notice that the poet said, “Some days must be dark and dreary”. Not all days. Why should there be dark days? Why can’t life be all sunshine and sweet? Why do we have trouble? Would we appreciate the sun if we didn’t have cloudy days? Would we appreciate the good times, if we didn’t have trouble to compare them to. Would we appreciate the freedom we have in Christ if we had not first known the contempt of slavery to our sin? Would have appreciated the resurrection, if we had not first been to the cross.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds the sun is still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

And, if cold dark days will bring us just a little closer to the Creator of those days, if they bring us to a better knowledge of the One who walks beside us and holds us by His strong right hand, then let us welcome them with the assurance of His faithfulness.

May you have a blessed day in the Lord, and may it be filled with SONshine. -jl

God's Threshing Floor

2008-01-31T19:21:00.000-06:00

Ladies,
I am so excited that many of you are commenting on the blog and keeping the dialogue going.

I want to comment myself on one of the posts about the obedience of lying face down in prayer. It was comparable to a threshing floor where wheat is separated from the chaff.

I found that interesting, and something that really concerns this particular study. Did you know that the Temple Mount was originally a threshing floor?

The account of the story is in I Chronicles 21-22. You know that King David had a desire to build a temple for the ark of the covenant, which at that time was still in a tent, even though David had it brought to Jerusalem. David had committed a great sin of pride of taking a census, and God became angry and punished Israel greatly. To stop the plague that God had sent, He ordered David to build an altar on the threshing floor of a man name Araunah and make an atoning sacrifice. David did so, and purchased the land.

I Chronicles 21:1 says, "Then David said, "The house of the LORD God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel". So on the site of the threshing floor, David son, Solomon built the temple.

This is also the site where, hundreds of years prior, Abraham and his son Isaac went to worship, and there God commanded him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. Because of Abraham's total obedience, God provided a ram to use as the offering.

Millions and millions of pilgrims through out the years worshiped at that site. Millions and millions of lambs were offered as atoning sacrifices. It was a picture of the greatest thing to ever happen, not on that particular site, but on the same mountain range.

Jesus, our Passover Lamb, made the atoning sacrifice for you and me. Blood sacrifices are no longer needed, because of His shed blood. Temples are no longer needed because we are the Temples of His Holy Spirit.

However, Romans 12:1 says, "in view of God's mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." So, ladies, the sacrificial system still exists. We are the living sacrifices.

I am so glad to be reminded of the threshing floor. It really became real to me this morning. I realized that my carpet looks just like a threshing floor. That's a nice way of saying it is just plain nasty. It was time for me to get up and vacuum it. Same is true with my life. It is time to do some serious cleaning if I am to be holy and pleasing to the Lord. - jl

THE ONE ENTHRONED

2008-01-30T21:15:00.001-06:00

Week Two--Day Two
Psalm 123

I hope you have had a good day with the LORD. What a lesson Day Two has been. As promised, I am sending the outlines from Warren Wiersbe's BIBLE EXPOSITION COMMENTARY.

It has been said that the first of the three Psalms of Ascent are preparation for the journey, and the next three are problems along the way. I mentioned in our last session that when we desire to seek God, Satan will use anything to try to cause us to stumble. I think these next Psalms prove that statement to be true.

Wiersbe asks that when we find ourselves among the slandered, ridiculed, and persecuted, where do we turn for help?

We Look by Faith to God's Throne (v.1)
With our eyes of faith we see Him as we believe His Word

We Look by Faith to God's Hand (v.2)
In eastern countries, masters often commanded their servants by means of hand signals, so the servants kept their hand on the master's hand. This is what gave them direction for their work. But the master's hand was also their source of provision. Finally, the master's hand protected them in times of danger. So it is with God's people today, our direction, provision, and protection all come our Master's hand, and His hand never fails.

We Look for God's Mercy and Grace (v.3-4)
We are not only subjects of the King (v.1) and servants of the Master (vv.2-3), we are also children of a gracious Father who hears the cries of His children and comes to their aid. He has grace and mercy for each situation.

I hope these outlines and comments help you as you dig deeper into God's Word.

JERICHO ROAD

2008-01-29T06:43:00.000-06:00

I am always so wired after our sessions together, it takes me a long time to come back down to earth. And tonight I am WIRED. What a session!!

I just loved it when Beth started quoting those songs and asked us to finish the verses. Too bad she didn't have "On the Jericho Road" as one of her selections. Marla, Shelia, Nancy and I could have helped her out on that one!!

Which gave me the idea. I found my "old brown book" with that song in it. Now in case you don't know what the "old brown book" is, I will tell you. I grew up in a rural church that used a hymn book published in the early 1930's compiled by a group named Stamps-Baxter.(And it was brown, hence, the "old brown book" as it was commonly called) Some of the songs are old hymns still sung today. But most of the songs were written for quartet style singing that we call "Southern Gospel" today.

Many of these songs were written in the early 1900's. Many of them will die out with this present older generation because this type of music is sung in very few congeregations now. And that is sad in a way, but I do love the music that is written today that speaks to this generation. Isn't it something that God inspires psalmist for each generation to speak His Word in music. I am so glad the Divinely inspired words of the Psalms of Ascent have transcended hundreds of generations, and still comfort us today.

"The Jericho Road" was written by Donald S. McCrossen in 1933. This song is like so many I grew up with. I just sang it never thinking about what it meant. The message in it is really great, and I hope it will bless you.

"As you travel along on the Jericho Road,
Does the world seem all wrong and heavy your load?
Just bring it to Christ, you sins all confess,
On the Jericho Road, you heart He will bless.'

"O brother to you, this message I bring,
Tho hope may be gone, He'll cause you to sing;
At Jesus' command, sin's shackles must fall,
On the Jericho road, will you answer His call?

(Refrain)

"On the Jericho road, there's room for just two,
No more and no less, just Jesus and you;
Each burden He'll bear, each sorrow He'll share,
There's never a care, for Jesus is there."

As you continue on the road to Jerusalem, may you find comfort in knowing that your Keeper holds your hand and will never let go. (Becky, I loved that.)

Help to Apply Psalms 120-122

2008-01-29T06:31:00.000-06:00

PSALM 120

"Woe To Me"

When we find ourselves in distress, there are three responsibilities to fulfill if our burdens are to become blessings.

1. We Must Pray (vv.1-2)

2. We Must Trust God (vv.3-4)

3. We Must Patiently Endure (5-7)

PSALM 121

"The LORD Your Keeper"

Everything in the heavens and on earth bears witness to the Great Creator who is also our Heavenly Father, so why should I fear?

1. My Father's Creation Is Before Me (vv.1-2)

2. My Father's Eyes Are Upon Me (vv.3-4)

3. My Father's Presence Is Beside Me (vv. 5-6)

4.4. My Father's Care Is Around Me (vv.7-8)

PSALM 122

"The Peace of Jerusalem"

The Kind of Heart a Pilgrim Needs to Please God In Worship:

1. A Heart For God (vv.1-2)

2. A Heart For Praise (vv.3-5)

3.3. A Heart For Prayer (vv. 6-9)

Outline by Warren Wiersbe from his study on the book of PSALMS.

Why Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

2008-01-26T20:26:00.001-06:00

How can our prayers help?

Here are some good reasons.
1st, speaking of the Jewish people the Lord said, "Whoever touches you touches the apple of my eye (Zech. 2:9)" and "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me (Matt 25:40)." I know it breaks His heart to see the way His City has been defiled by hate and bloodshed. As Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision has said, "Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God." It's good for us to be on the Lord's side.

2nd, He has commanded it and rewards us for obedience. All of Psalm 122 speaks of the special nature of Jerusalem; the one place on Earth God specifically chose for His dwelling and vs. 6 promises prosperity to those who pray for its peace.

And 3rd, when you pray for the peace of Jerusalem, you're praying for the Messiah to come and establish His Kingdom. Maybe that's the best reason of all.
You can almost hear the Footsteps of the Messiah.

From an article by Jack Kelley from gracethrufaith.com

Who is YOUR Keeper?

2008-01-25T20:30:00.000-06:00

Ladies,
I think the most profound statement Beth has made in our study this week is in Day 3, The Lord Our Keeper. She makes this statement, "God is caretaker of you and me. He tends to us. Watches over us. He has never entrusted that job to anyone else. At no time does God abdicate your guardianship to an angel alone, regardless of how mighty."

Isn't this where so many of us as women mess up our lives? Don't we give the position that was intended for God alone to someone else. Maybe our husbands or fathers. Depending on where we are in the season of our lives, maybe we depend on our children to do for us only what God can do. Then when that person, being the human being that they are, fails to live up to our expectations, we are devastated.

How does it make you feel knowing that Your Keeper and Protector will always be faithful, will never disappoint you, will always love you, provide for you, keep you from harm, and loves you above all else? - jl

Winter Morning

2008-01-24T20:55:00.001-06:00

Ladies,

Hope you have had a great day with the Lord. I visited my daughter Beth and grandchildren in Southaven. I always enjoy the trip up there and back because it gives me some quiet time, which I rarely have any more.

With my thoughts on Day 3, The Lord Our Keeper (who is also the Great Creator), I had a wonderful time just looking at God's creation as I was coming back this morning. The sun was shining brightly; then a huge cloud began to cover it causing rays to spread over the eastern sky. It was just beautiful. "The Heavens declare the glory of God". Psalm 19:1

I was also reminded of something Ruth Bell Graham said about the trees in winter. She said without their leaves, they look like they have their arms lifted up to their Creator in prayer.

What a picture for us on our journey. In the midst of the winter of our souls, we are to strip ourselves of anything that hinders us from reaching our destination. Then we are to lift our hearts to our Heavenly Father who hears us when we cry out to Him.

When we do this, He reveals His Glory. The picture I saw this cold winter morning was My Father, spreading his arms around His creation, and Me.

- jl

WELCOME!!

2008-01-23T21:42:00.000-06:00

Week 1 Day 2

Ladies,
Have you been facedown today, as Beth asked us?
The past 2 days have already spoken to me, what about you?
Being facedown will result in change and answered prayer....
as we learn to open our hearts and honestly cry out.
Let's be sure to give Him the praise when we have answered prayer.

- mr