I am a Christian wife of one man who loves the Lord. A Worship Leader. I am a homeschooling mother of two. I am a piece of clay, a branch, and a sheep in need of a Shepherd.
Today, it is well with my soul. In the process of my inch by inch, it's a cinch cleaning, the Lord brought the nearly silent, gentle rain of His presence. It was so quiet it almost slipped by unnoticed, yet was so clear I was able to hear it above the sound of pots and pans and garbage cans.
I admit, however, that I fear my flesh, and I should. I fear the busy days and hectic times ahead might trample the quiet of His peace. I fear that my unwillingness to die to myself might quench the blessing of obedience. I feel I am to move quietly through these days to be able to hear and listen and move as He says move. Wow, I'm still learning and expect to be His student until I see His face. (Even then, I am expecting continual revelation and awe.)
Yesterday, our Pastor brought a powerful message about doors, both open and closed. About seasons. May I step with Him through both door and season. I am keenly aware that He is at work. Obedience to His leadership brings His blessing, and that is what I'm after.
Calling all blogging friends, HELP! I feel totally disorganized in just about every area of life! I cannot seem to get on top of it all.
I still am not totally unpacked (put in it's place kind) from our Georgia trip. I feel and AM behind in planning for Easter Worship, (I'm not feeling a TON of direction from the Lord in this area...what's that all about?) School has been out of kilter for weeks now (yes, we homeschool) due to a few weeks in Georgia, company here, and the like, I have two out of town worship events this month tucked in after Easter (what was I thinking???), my music needs to be filed and sorted and tossed, I am not being the encouraging wife I need to be, perhaps not the attentive mother I need to be, and I'm not sure how to climb this mountain of Life that is looming about me. Get the picture? I feel overwhelmed.
I know that in the morning my perspective will be different as it usually is at the start of the day. But the fact of the matter is, this post pretty much tells it like it is. I'm not scratching or digging for encouragement as much as I am saying, I feel buried: please pray. Really, I am asking the Lord for the why's behind the what's, and the how's to change it. Mostly, the how's to change it. I either need to go on a life diet or get a bigger plate. Does one exist?
The Father's Love is a website dedicated to sending a love letter from God based on paraphrased Bible passages to people of many nations, tribes, and tongues. This morning I viewed text in Hindi and Hebrew.
This is the shorter 6 minute version of 3 videos available. My favorite part: this video text can be displayed in 88 languages. Please enjoy the English translation I am showing here. (There is also a 10 minute text or instrumental version available)
My Child,
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is… Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
Danny's Dad has made the journey, and now he is fully at home, fully alive in Heaven. Oh the mixture of sorrow, joy that makes no sense in the natural. Peace and grace for those now who are without sleep tonight, and wondering how God will deliver them, but knowing He will. My wise husband sensing God's timing was near exceeded the thoughts of the experienced, but really and truly, only God knew.
After I rose from my earlier post of worship (for me and the Lord), I knew this was the time. It was if He said, "It is finished." And it is...oh, to hear the sound in Heaven, to see as he now sees; fully, fully alive.
Jesus, we love you. Our Daddy, Ed, is and always has been more yours than ours. Thank you for his grace-filled life. Thank you for Heaven. Thank you for Salvation. Thank you for over ruling what made no sense to the wise of the day....you came anyway, and gave everything. Thank you all over again.
Why church membership? Is it scriptural, Biblical? Wow, how in the world am I going to answer that question! Why am I even asking? (Facebook, of course!)
Let me preface ALL of this by saying, I hate it when Christians bash Christians, when Christians put down the body of Christ. I can't stand it. It a l m o s t makes me angry. I'm not coming down on my close friend who takes the non-commital stance, but I am coming down on the implications.
If there was no local church, where would we deposit our gifts, and I'm not speaking monitarily either. Where would we be stirred? Where would we stir others up? What about accountability, both personally and theologically? What about intercession for someone you've been walking with for a long time? What about committing to a local body like you have your own marriage: for better or for worse? Or worser still! (Time to smile, folks.) We know the scriptures about not forsaking the assemblying of ourselves together, we know about each one coming with a hymn, a song, a word, etc.
What about the benefits of finding a group of people with like minds and vision and passion. Not everyone belongs where I attend. Not everyone has a passion for the nations in such an in your face kind of way as Covenant of Grace. (I wouldn't change it a bit!) It's inconvenient, it's a sacrifice, but it's the beautiful body and bride of Christ ministering to each other, to the Lord, and it truly is beautiful!
The scripture talks about the body being fittly joined together by that which every joint supplies. So when someone avoids coming through the door because they don't want to be trapped, the place you may have committed to is missing out, 'cause God made you to be a blessing. Second, YOU'RE missing out. God has blessings that will come your way through a local fellowship of mutual love and commitment. I see it as a way to mobilize the body. Every church has a DNA, and you should be a part of one that matches YOUR DNA.
Sign a paper? Maybe not necessary. But I have a testimony on that, and I am personally convinced that if you WANT to align with a church who asks that you do "sign", and you don't do it, and you want to still minister under their convering? I can personally say you will never be released to do so completely until you "sign." Throw me out, call me a heretic, but I am telling you this was my own experience. It simply didn't work. The beautiful part was when I did officially join I continued to minister, and subsequently experienced a greater release than I ever had before in my area of ministry. Once I honored their policy and came in the front door, so to speak, it was just a greater place of blessing and favor.
It's also a way to systematically and regularly support those Pastors etc., who are called, and many of them trained, to teach God's Word as their sole occupation. It allows a church to plan, cast a vision, know their sheep, and walk that vision out with like minded individuals. I could write for days on this topic, but lest it take a tone other than complete love, I shall not do so.
The above being said, while I am all about Church membership, I'm mostly all about Christ. In these days and times should the church have to go in hiding, I'm loving Jesus all the way, documents or no documents! I know that HE is the point of our existence, and giving Him glory at every turn remains our purpose. Perhaps this post is just for me to state my position, and perhaps it resonates with you, or, makes you hoppin' mad! (I sure hope not.) I love you all, and I'll look forward to hearing back, either way.
I have not included any scripture passages in this post, but can do so by way of comments if someone wishes to have those listed.
We have had a wonderful day today. It began with a celebration of our best friend's, Mary Lee's, birthday. Coffee, Bagels, Carrot Cake, and in that order I must add. Add in a quick garage sale run: new prize, Bethany's kite.
Then, after sending Danny off to Atlanta for time with his Daddy, we contemplated, briefly contemplated, yard work. Somehow it was pushed back, shoved, no, quite frankly ignored in lieu of a hike with our neighbors.
Up the large, large, rough and stony hill, a.k.a.
"mountain"
(to the every day desert dweller,) switchback after switchback, and hill after rocky hilly,.....huff puff, mountain!.... we went, and then descended. Length of course: 4 miles. Time to complete: 3 hrs. One tumble and several pitstops later, we arrived back at the parking lot to our CAR!!!! We almost kissed it!
We then proceeded IMMEDIATELY to Sonic for slushies and cherry limeades. Finished those just in time to walk in the door for a young man's haircut. But wait, there's more!
Then, we spontaneously invited a few friends out to Deer Valley Airport Restaurant in honor of Mary Lee's birthday. There were 11 of us, and a fun time was had by absolutely everyone. On the way home Daniel said, "I love Mary Lee."....and he meant it. I told him, "We all do!"
Did I mention I was able to capture a shot of my two favorite hikers on one of their pitstops today?
Check out this amazing video! I found it while looking for some teaching videos.
Kseniya Simonova is a Ukrainian artist who just won Ukraine's version of "America's Got Talent." She uses a giant light box, dramatic music, imagination and "sand painting" skills to interpret Germany's invasion and occupation of Ukraine during WWII. I am touched by the artistry.
"Mom, can you guess what my favorite mammal is?" "I know what my favorite mammal is," says Daniel. As I am busy perusing a website featuring a book on mammals my son has this conversation with his sister and I. It was a thinking outloud kind of a conversation. Then the announcement: "You're my favorite mammal", he says to me with his sweet and irresistable grin. Wow. My son's favorite mammal! And why not!
Once again, the beauty of homeschooling, as they say. I have just been crowned from my head down to my heart as my son's favorite mammal. I think I'll congratulate myself! So, here's to science, and to my son's understanding of the value of God-breathed human life, and not just any life, but of his favorite mammal, his mother.
March is Missions Month at Covenant of Grace Christian Fellowship! We'll be doing this song. I especially love the scriptures, pictures, and the quotes throughout. I hope you're blessed, and may our heart burn bright with a missions flame.
Reshk, frishk, shuskkk, lushk, sheshkk, dushkk, dushkk. "THIS! NOW THIS IS A PLANET BLASTER!!! he says. More frushk, sheshkk, dushka, sheshk. "Now, you don't want to mess with THAT! It will explode!!!" Lego builders thinking, building, announcing, as the colorful pegged blocks go scooting across the wooden table making sounds that defy all sense of phonics. Bass-voiced Daddy eeks out Be Thou My Vision in squeaky pitched hum. "Achoo!" Beautiful blonde reads and sneezes simultaneously, thereby displaying her future career as a mother in multitasking. This is the sound on the other side of the wall behind me. This is the sound of a Family Night. Click, click, click, go Momma's fingers across the keys as the sights that go with the sounds, though not visible to her, fuel her flame. The flame of joy and love that glimmers and grows in the night, this night. Gotta go now. Gotta go see! : ) I just can't stand not seeing it!
