One of God's Chosen!

 Job 1:9,10 (The Message)

 Satan retorted, "So do you think Job does all that out of the sheer goodness of his heart? Why, no one ever had it so good! You pamper him like a pet, make sure nothing bad ever happens to him or his family or his possessions, bless everything he does—he can't lose!

God hedges in His own that He may preserve them, but oftentimes they only see the wrong side of the hedge, and so misunderstand His dealings. It was so with Job (Job 3:23). Ah, but Satan knew the value of that hedge! See his testimony in chapter 1:10.
Through the leaves of every trial there are chinks of light to shine through. Thorns do not prick you unless you lean against them, and not one touches without His knowledge. The words that hurt you, the letter which gave you pain, the cruel wound of your dearest friend, shortness of money–are all known to Him, who sympathizes as none else can and watches to see, if, through all, you will dare to trust Him wholly.
- Mrs. Charles E. Cowman -

Trusting God is so easy in the good times, but when those hard and misunderstood times come, it isn't so easy is it? When we only see our view of the circumstances and feel the pain associated with it, it is very easy to get side tracked. As Mrs Cowman points out satan knows very well about the hedge that is around each child of God.  Job certainly had lots of questions but he also knew God was protecting him and his family. His trials was a test which turned into a testimony! And so it is with us, the trials we go through will make us stronger and isn't that what the gospel is all about, a journey in which we are growing and determining to be more like Jesus? Of course it is!
I don't know about you but knowing our Heavenly Father is the master planner of my life gives me such peace. It doesn't mean we won't experience pain, actually it means we will but there is a purpose. And it doesn't mean we will understand everything that happens, we won't, some things we will never know! We just have to trust and to be aware that we are one of God's Chosen! Whatever is going on in your life, I want to encourage you to not look on the wrong side of the hedge. We can be assured that nothing touches us without the knowledge of God, and then realize God's will' is exactly what we would choose if we knew what God knows." Be blessed today my special family and friends! Never give up on God!

These testimonies will touch your heart at Spiritual Sundays!
http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2012/02/welcome-back.html

Going "Through" and Moving On!

 Psalm 126:4-6 (The Message)
 ^4-6 And now, God, do it again—
      bring rains to our drought-stricken lives
   So those who planted their crops in despair
      will shout hurrahs at the harvest,
   So those who went off with heavy hearts
      will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.

Moving on after a loss, no matter where it falls on life's scale is a huge problem and universal to all of us. We will all experience at some time in our life here on earth a roller coaster ride that will be heartbreaking. How we respond will either he helpful or hurtful and will determine if we really will "move on". And of course no one wants to deal with this until it happens, then we have no choice but to try to figure things out. It is like walking on eggshells! So many decisions have to be made and for me every day, it is asking for wisdom and guidance. I visited with a grief counselor from Hospice this week and he was very concerned not only about the death of my husband, but the fact I am also moving to another city. Grief is very real and we have to go through it, but here again is the key word "through", it is not healthy to stay there and it is not healthy to ignore and try to not deal with it. Now getting back to "through", I explained to him that I was not alone, God would be with me on this journey and I must stay focused. Bless his heart, he said he would be praying for me! lol. I do understand where he was coming from though. I know of a woman that literally went in her house and stayed there for three years! Can't do that! Definitely that approach is not healthy! It is so important to face this life one day at a time! Which is all we really have anyway! One day, one step, not borrowing from tomorrow, but following close to God. I am sure there are some reading this that either knows or will experience these life changes and I just want to encourage  you that you are not alone and you will get "through" this, but you must be aware of the way you choose! The healthy way is just depending on the Lord for your direction and strength. I am praying for each one reading this post and also ask for your prayers. We need to be reminded of His mercy and grace daily!
God bless you as you pass through!

Much Afraid and Her Companions!

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.”
- Habakkuk 3:19

I am reading a book that the Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance entitled "Hinds Feet on High Places". You may remember it to, it is a story, an allegory actually, of the journey Much Afraid takes from the valley of humiliation where she lives with the fear families to the mountain top with the Chief Shepherd. There her name is changed to Grace and Glory. She learns through life's lessons all about the Fathers Will and the sacrifices that were made every step of the way. She is granted powerful hinds feet after making  the difficult journey and even her companions Sorrow and Suffering have their names changed to Joy and Peace. It is a wonderful account of our walk with the Lord. As I am experiencing this valley of loss, I to am learning there is nothing more important than being faithful to the Lord. What ever we go through, the key word is "through". I have to admit this fear as Much Afraid had, that it doesn't appear any good can come from this, but even more terrifying is the fact of being without the Good Shepherd's love and guidance. Surrender is of course the place where we cannot change the situation and we must trust God. So hard to do, as humans we want to always try and figure out and of course question God as to "why" and  "where are you, God" As Much Afraid sings words of worship, the mist lifts around her where she can see the Shepherd standing there with her. I know He is with me even when the pain grips my very heart and soul. I am confident in this time of my life, God will not leave me or forsake me. Many things are apparent in this story, but the one that stands out to me is the fact, when we call, He will answer. If you are going through the valley of loss, my prayer for you is for your name  to be changed to Grace and Glory. The journey is long and hard, but so worth the trip. We can't quit! the pain and the heartbreak will heal. These are not my words but the Words of God. I am sure as you read this you realize my precious husband entered into the presence of God on January 15. He always preached about heaven and would get so excited because he knew one day he would be there. This is the hope we all have if we have been forgiven for our sins and to be in heaven with our Lord and Savior! Joy does come in the morning (Psalm 30:5). I am praying for you as  you read this that God will comfort you, and I ask for your prayers also. There are many more tears and times of sorrow, but in my weakness and because of His strength, I will and so will you make it to the mountain top. No more crippled feet that keeps us lame, but powerful Hinds feet. If you also have a chance to read this little book, please do so, you will be inspired. Although Hannah Hurnard changed later in her life from her faith in God to some very new age and even occultic practices, this amazing little book has ministered to thousands of people. Have a wonderful week ahead and  walk in faith sweet friends!

  Please check out Spiritual Sundays, you will be inspired!  http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2012/02/welcome-back-again.html

Trusting God!

Please read Acts 27 and 28 of the journey that Paul experienced!

"Can I trust God even when my life gets stormy? Can I trust Him even when things go unexpectedly wrong? Can I trust Him even when my situation is so discouraging that I see no way out? Will I trust Him even when things seem hopeless?"  Oh my, I wonder how many times I have asked these questions and several more in the last few months!  In my posts, I seem to be stuck on this subject because of all the trauma in my life. If you have been following me then you know that my sweetheart of 27 years was diagnosed with cancer in June of this year. I can't begin to fill you in on everything and there would be no need anyway. This post is about trusting God no matter what! This roller coaster ride has taken me to the very bottom where I didn't think my heart could stand the pain and then to where I would soar with hope that he would live and be healthy again. Now the ride is not over with, right now we are home with physical therapy trying to get him on his feet so that we can finish treatment. I can't tell you what the outcome will be, only God knows. But I can tell you in the last week, peace has settled in my heart. Not peace that I will be okay if the end result is not what I want, but just peace, like the roller coaster ride has smoothed out a bit. This peace that comes from knowing God is in control. We all pray for God's will and then we find our scriptures to hang on to. This is standing firm in our faith, but what if this is not God's perfect plan? Do you see where I am going? I am believing for complete healing for this man that has my heart, but what if it is time for him to go home? I truly believe that trusting God is the hardest thing to do! Oh, we are full of faith but when the storms come, I will admit to you, my faith has wavered more than once. So what do we do? I have no answers nor has anyone else had one for me. Why do bad things happen to the children of God? Still no answers! It is for me just taking one day at a time, staying in the Word and continuing to believe in God. Is it easy? Not hardly, it is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Will all this be used for the Glory of God? The Word says it will be, and will it be worth it somehow? Well, I guess I am still out on that one. I am trying so hard not to discourage you with my words, but somehow just show you my heart and it is just being honest with you. I have experienced every kind of emotion that can be imagined in this situation, I have blamed God (yes, I said that) and questioned Him for His motives in allowing this disease. I just also have to believe that God understands,  after all He made me and knows full well my weakness and frailties. So where do we go from here? As I stated before, it is one day at a time, and trying not to figure out everything, which is silly. I am praying for my unbelief, for my faith to be strengthened and I am praying no matter what happens I will be faithful. This ride we are on leads to our destination of Heaven, there to be with Jesus for ever and ever. So no matter what happens, we will stay focused on Him who never leaves or forsakes us.  Him who loves us and said He would never put more on  us than we can stand but would make a way of escape. "Just allow God to still the storms" ! Thank you for your prayers and letting me share with you this ride. I pray God's richest blessing on your life, and if it is a while before I pen another post, Merry Christmas. May it be the memorable ever!

Check out Spiritual Sundays, link follows: you will be blessed
http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2011/12/welcome-back-again.html

Preparation in the Desert!

Luke 1:80

And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness [in the desert] until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Have you ever had a desert experience? You know the times in your life where you feel alone and surely this cannot be a part of God's plan for your life? Well, if you haven't, you will have! Sound harsh? We cannot ignore parts of the Bible when He tells us there will be valleys, deserts, times of trials and testing. So what do we do when our heart breaks? How do we react to these tragedies? Two words! Trust God! From the time you begin reading in Genesis and end in Revelation, we are told to trust the One who created us. It is very hard to do this when we don't understand what is going on. But if you really believe that ALL things work together to the good to those that love the Lord and are called according to HIS purpose (Romans 8:28)! Then what else can you do? I know many of you are going through some difficult times, we sure are, so I just want to encourage you that God is in control if you will let Him be. He will lead and guide, if you will let Him and He will never leave you, but you need to stay close. Your words are powerful when they are faith filled! Speak healing and health to your loved ones, be encouraging to those around you that are hurting. Really show folks you care! Jesus taught us about love, it was His whole purpose because people are the most important thing to Him. He loves us and will never let us down. And be patient if things don't happen when we think they should, could it be because we are not ready? Time is a mystery to us but God knows the beginning, middle and end. We get stuck in the middle some time, but if we don't give up and just keep believing and TRUST Him, we will learn to grow in those hard times and be strong in our faith. Will there be more deserts? You can count on it! But every time we are out there, our faith grows. Then and only then are we (in Him) a comfort and help to others. As you read this my prayers are for you to be strengthened and stand firm. Find out who you are in Christ and believe those promises are for you.
Blessings to you! (Please check out Spiritual Sundays, you will be blessed!
http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2011/09/welcome-friends.html

Just Say "Thank You"

 

Philippians 4:6

(New Living Translation)

 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

I have heard and do believe that the most powerful of prayers is to tell God "Thank You" and probably one of the hardest things to do. How in the world can we be thankful when we are faced with things so hard we can't even think straight? It is not the thing that is happening we are thankful for, it is realizing that there is a purpose and plan straight from God Himself! And in the middle of it we are being stretched and called upon to exercise our faith. Faith is of course believing and trusting in not what we see, but what we don't see. I am reminded so many times of Job and all that he went through. Not understanding but trusting, oh yes, he had his moments, we all do, but ultimately restored with his faith stronger than ever. What a testimony he still has, and what a testimony we will have when we stand firm and strong. I am certain in these times we live in, you are or will be faced with trials and heartaches that you think you cannot bear, just remember to say Thank You to the One that will truly not let you down. It is ok to tell your Father how you feel as Job did, but ask what it is that He wants to show you. Ask how He will use this not only for you but those you are around. It is also a command not a suggestion in scripture that we come to Him with thanksgiving in our heart. As I have said so many times in my blog, life is hard! We have to go beyond our comfort zone in order to trust God. I pray blessings on you as you have been so kind to stop by and I do apologize for being lax in my posts. So much is going on with my husband and this battle with cancer that just getting through the day is a bit overwhelming. Thank you for your prayers! I will be giving updates on his condition, as we will be here at the Cancer Center of America in Zion Illinois for at least five months!
Stand firm and be thankful! God is working and He has a plan for your life!

Please check out Spiritual Sunday, you will be blessed! link follows:
http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2011/08/hello-everyone.html

Moving Forward!

There are times when you must trust God, times when all you or anyone else can do is not enough! Have you ever been there? Have you been or are you faced with life coming at you like a fierce storm? If this doesn't apply to you now, it probably will before you exit this old world. I am not trying to be discouraging today, but encouraging that when these times come your way, you will know that God's Word is true and no matter what happens, He is not only with you, but will make a way for escape if you can't bear it! This is exactly what is happening to us now as we are on this journey. Surgery was first on the agenda and it happened yesterday and recovery is in the process now. Do we know what will happen? No, but God does. Will it always be good news? no, but God has the answers. All of the questions we are faced with and the fears we will have from time to time, God knows and understands our frame. After all He is the one who formed us and knew us before the foundations of the world. He is El Shadiah, God Almighty. Is this journey easy? absolutely not, it is reality? oh yes, definitely. But again, God told us  that we would experience things that would hurt our heart and cause us to faint. "But God", this is what we must remember! Every second, "But God". We must stay focused on Him and expect Him to move on our behalf. Thank you for your prayers for John and myself. As always I pray blessings on you as you read this. May you be filled with assurance that God knows what He is doing and that whatever happens to us as Christians that there is a plan behind it.
Be sure and check out Spiritual Sundays, you will be encouraged there to. link follows:
http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2011/07/welcome.html