Monthly Archives: February 2018

A Day to Remember Love – a photographic journey


dedicated to my two greatest loves:

Jesus Christ – no photos please.

Jim Wildman

 

God gives me a check list for LOVE:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
4 Love is patient and kind;
love does not envy or boast;
it is not arrogant
5 or rude.
It does not insist on its own way;
it is not irritable or resentful;
6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing,
but rejoices with the truth.
7 Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.
8 Love never ends.

God Inspires me to Love:

1 John 4:19 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
19 We love[a] because He first loved us.

Jesus Commands me to Love:

John 13:34-35 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

God enables me to LOVE

1 John 4:7-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Knowing God through Love
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

God Shows me how to Love:

1 John 4:9-12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way:
God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
10 Love consists in this:
not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another.
12 No one has ever seen God.
If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is perfected in us.

God led me to MY LOVE:

Song of Solomon 3:4 King James Version (KJV)
4 It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go,

We were created for each other:

Genesis 2:23-24 King James Version (KJV)
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Jesus confirms that we have become ONE:

Matthew 19:4-6 King James Version (KJV)
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Paul Confirms we have become one.

Ephesians 5:31 King James Version (KJV)
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

 

 

 
And our marriage is to exemplify the coming marriage of Jesus and the church…..
Ephesians 5:22-32

 

Jesus is creating HIS bride!

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[b] her with the washing of water by the word. 27 He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.

 

 

And, we are preparing for the GREAT WEDDING FEAST!

Revelation 19:7-8 King James Version (KJV)
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

 

I am so thankful that My Husband loves Jesus as much as I do.

I am so thankful that we will spend eternity together, celebrating the marriage supper of the Lamb!

Jim Wildman – it’s been a wild ride…but I’m so thankful it’s been with YOU! I Love YOU!
wrinkles, warts, scabs and scars….and all things that are beautiful, too!

 

Here’s some of our wedding and love songs:

AND

AND

I prefer Jim Wildman singing this! 😉

This version of Longer with scriptures added is very worshipful!

Maranatha kids – 1 John 4:7-8

 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission. The same goes for my written work.
Some artwork is from ChristArt – not me! I have purchased a membership, and the art is copyrighted by them.
Some artwork is from FreeClipArt Library. copyrights belong to them.

I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Lenten Candle Cross ideas, instructions

I had the idea to create a Lenten Cross, based on my Advent Log from my Advent Devotionals.

Christmas on the Advent Log

It starts with darkness, then each candle leads up to the Light that comes into the World on Christmas Morning.

In the reverse, the Lenten Cross starts with the Light that was in the world, and goes slowly dark, towards Good Friday, when Jesus hung on the cross.

First, I designed it – based on 4.5 inch boards.  There were various upgrades along the way.


My husband cut the boards (multiple times, because of his patience with me) and drilled the candle votive spaces. I did a vinegar/steelwool wash to distress the wood.

I did a little bit of research on burial herbs and oils, and came up with cedarwood and balsam wood – and Yankee Candle has a very nice smelling votive! Cinnamon could also be used.

I wanted to keep the candles separate from the board, and I found a company that makes votive glass on Amazon. You can find whatever you like! You just need to make sure that the spots are cut to the correct dimension!

I realize that not everyone has a handy husband, or their own woodworking skill or tools, so, here is another idea. Buy some votive candles – these are ones I have around the house – and place them in a cross shape.

Here are two other ideas for votive holders, from canning jars you can purchase many places, but there are large selections at craft stores!

These are the blue 8oz mason jars. I purchased these at Walmart.


These are 4 ounce – I think I found these at World Market, though I think I’ve seen them at Hobby Lobby.


Other thoughts I’ve had…red candles for the hands and feet.
I have some heart shaped, battery powered, red, led lights from Valentines day – I may wrap them around the cross for Good Friday.

Whatever you choose to do – do what helps you, and your family, reflect on the last days of Jesus’s life here on earth, and why He went to the cross for us!

 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Jonah 3

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!) The conversation started Monday, February 5th.

Jonah 3

YET 40 DAYS AND NINIVEH SHALL BE OVERTHROWN!

 

NLT says DESTROYED
CSV says DEMOLISHED

I admit that I don’t know greek or hebrew, therefore I rely on Strongs, Vines or other references.
The BlueLetterBible has this to say about this word:

hâphak, haw-fak’; a primitive root; to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert:—× become, change, come, be converted, give, make (a bed), overthrow (-turn), perverse, retire, tumble, turn (again, aside, back, to the contrary, every way).

There’s one word here that gets my attention…RETURN…and BLB’s Bible usage shows this:

to turn, overthrow, overturn

(Qal)

to overturn, overthrow
to turn, turn about, turn over, turn around
to change, transform

(Niphal)
to turn oneself, turn, turn back
to change oneself
to be perverse
to be turned, be turned over, be changed, be turned against
to be reversed
to be overturned, be overthrown
to be upturned

(Hithpael)

to transform oneself
to turn this way and that, turn every way

I can’t help but see those as words that could, in English, be used for repentance!

Jonah3:5
5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

To me, this is one of the greatest evidences that it is NEVER too late to repent and turn to GOD! GOD HAD PRONOUNCED JUDGEMENT! and He heard their cry! Isn’t that exciting???!!!

EVEN THE KING REPENTED! There’s hope for the government leadership of any country!

Jonah 3:6-9
6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”

Jonah 3:10
10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

Oh Thank God for being a merciful God!
Here, I’m going to compare myself to the Ninevites…I have never been that sinful…so, that helps me to know that NO MATTER HOW BADLY one is going the wrong way – GOD WILL HEAR THE PRAYER OF REPENTANCE!

My story –
While I was in the hospital, I attended church. I have no idea why, as I look back, other than God was keeping my heart warm…I was keeping it lukewarm! Friends would come and take me to church and I can see the little chapel that help the church services in my mind’s eye. I don’t remember if I spent time in the word…I’m sure that would have brought about much needed repentance, but, I just don’t remember it. In fact, I have not much memory of what transpired during those times in the hospital.

In the Psych Ward, I was the only female, dressed in men’s PJ’s with nothing on under (so I could not harm myself with my undergarments, I think). I know I talked about Jesus, and I’m appalled now as to what kind of witness I was(not). I know that there were times that I was talking about Jesus, I believed in Him, still, and I considered myself a follower of Christ. I believed I was good enough, I suppose. I had not turned my heart back to the Lord yet. I had not chosen to obey. My life had been changed from being a sailor to being a civilian. Even so, in the face of this ‘judgement’ or consequence upon my life, I did not repent, or turn around. I just accepted this discharge from God’s hand as inevitable.

There is a principle that repentance brings about evidences.  There was no evidence of repentance in my life. I am saddened when I look back upon my life at that point.

THE KING of Nineveh heard the words of Jonah and declared a fast! in sackclothes and ashes! HE showed evidences of repentance!

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry by saying:

Matthew 3:2-3 New King James Version (NKJV)
2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’”

The Lord spoke to Solomon:

2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version (KJV)
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

verse 14 is a promise that follows God’s judgement in verse 13:

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 King James Version (KJV)
13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

God gave Cain an opprtunity to repent:

Genesis 4:6-7 English Standard Version (ESV)
6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

Instead of turning, Cain took the life of his brother Abel …the first murder.
Then, he lied to God…an even greater sin, and he was cast away from his family.
These were evidences to the contrary of repentance.

When God came walking through the Garden, he called out to Adam and Eve. Where are you?
Adam confessed his nakedness – but not his sin. When given a chance to repent, he points his finger to Eve AND God!

Genesis 3:12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”

They were cast out of the garden.

We’re no better:

Romans 3:23 English Standard Version (ESV)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

BECAUSE:

Isaiah 64:6 King James Version (KJV)
6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Peter announced on the day of Pentecost that repentance is part of the salvation process:

Acts 2:38 English Standard Version (ESV)
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Got questions has a great article on Repentance and Salvation!

Through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ…we have a promise!

1 John 1:5-10
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 John 2: 1- 6
2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

That last verse is speaking of evidences of repentance…walking in the same way Jesus walked…or at least trying to!

Dear James lets us know that:

James 5:14-16 English Standard Version (ESV)
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

REPENTANCE!
DELIVERANCE FROM JUDGEMENT!
GOD HEARS US!

These are the points that Jonah 3 speaks to me.

Have you recognized that your sins get in the way of your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ?

Have you repented of your sins, put them under the blood of Jesus Christ, and asked Him to be the Lord of your life?

Got Questions has a great explanation on how to do just this, and know that you will spend eternal life with Jesus!

To be honest, while I know that my initial salvation was in 1969, in a little church across the street from my house, there have been other times in my life that I needed to repent of my path, and turn again to Christ. I didn’t get RE-saved – I just RE-dedicated my life to Christ. In my life, at least, repentance isn’t a one time deal! It’s a daily deal, sometimes hourly, do I dare admit there are times that it’s minute by minute? If we turn our hearts towards the Lord…well, I’ll let Isaiah say it!

Isaiah 55:6-7 King James Version (KJV)
6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

And this beautiful promise:

Isaiah 55:1-3 King James Version (KJV)
55 1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

AND WE CAN BELIEVE:

Lamentations 3:22-23 English Standard Version (ESV)
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

here’s some prayer and some comfort!
Create in me a clean heart

Next – Jonah 4
 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Jonah 2

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!) The conversation started Monday, February 5th.

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Jonah – introduction
Itty Bitty Bible Study – Jonah chapter 1

Jonah 2

Jonah is in the fish

Now, Jonah starts to pray.

It sounds like this:

Psalm 18:3-6 King James Version (KJV)
3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

and this:

Psalm 116 King James Version (KJV)
116 I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
4 Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

Really, the whole of Psalm 116.

and this:

Psalm 34:4 King James Version (KJV)
4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Foxhole Prayers are NOT unusual.

More of my story:
I was laying in the Recruit Training Center infirmary – not able to put weight on my right leg. Everything was stark white…cold, antiseptic, lonely. Recruits don’t usually get sick, so, I was the only one there. Recruits are treated like non people, so I was ignored except when they needed to care for me. I don’t know if it was three days in there…or when, but I asked the Lord, why?….and he said “I told you not to go to the navy, but to go to college.”

yes, I know…but…

now, I’m paralyzed for all intents and purposes.
I knew that there was probably no way I was going to get out of the navy, or I was going to be sent home without completing boot camp….and, I still had not learned my lesson. what logical thing did I do? I negotiated with God.
“so, if you can work it out that they cannot find what is wrong with me, but they know that something is wrong with me, I can graduate with my unit, and they discharge me honorably, I’ll leave the Navy.”

As I read what I just wrote, I just cannot imagine how arrogant I was to negotiate with God! And this wasn’t like Abraham negotiating with God about how many it would take to save Sodom and Gomorrah. I am so thankful that God is a merciful God. Those folks in the infirmary don’t know how close they came to having God strike me dead, like any normal parent would have!

Within a few days, the anti-inflammatories took down the swelling, and I was able to walk again, though I was on pain meds. I had to do PT twice a day – running in the morning, then PT exercises in the evening, or PT with the unit, and running in the evening. I was scoring fine on everything, and I graduated with my unit.

Next stop was NTC San Diego – for Radioman school. I felt fine, I enjoyed my time as a sailor…going to bars, drinking, and having a great time. I aced my A school, and even caught the eye of my Chief Petty Officer. I was given a scholar promotion…and chosen to be the first female radio shack operator on an actual IN SERVICE ship(rather than on land or a supply ship). I had forgotten all about my deal with God, and honestly, I thought he had, too. Then My leg started hurting again. I went to sick call. again and again.
They did multiple tests – one, the dyd couldn’t show the discs because of the wideness of the space between my cord and bones. The other, they couldn’t complete the test because I had an anaphylactic reaction to the dye, and they had to pump me full of ephedrine to bring me back…the dye had not reached the area they were aiming to view.
Xrays were non conclusive.
The nuero surgeon KNEW something was wrong, and wanted to open up my back so he could see.
But, GOD.…
While I was spending months in Balboa naval hospital because of my leg and lower back, and one month in convalescent leave (where a chiropractor was able to xray my low back while standing, and found five discs bulging…and provide traction that enabled me to ambulate with crutches), there were other things going on of which I was unaware.
I said no to exploratory surgery…so, I was sent to the psych ward.
They harassed me until I said, FINE – GET ME OUT OF THE NAVY!

I was given a honorable discharge – stating that I was never to be reconsidered for enlistment. And, I was discharged at 11 months…which meant no education benefits. My medical papers disappeared for 30 years(the typical pattern was that the person carried their med papers back to their station, and took them home with them…but, I was told that they had to finish the papers).

I was dumber, or slower than Jonah….I didn’t go home. I stayed in San Diego, living with two other sailors, taking in laundry, and being a beach bum. I knew God had kept his end of the bargain. I was out of the Navy. And yet…I was not sure of my end of the bargain!

I’ll write about that next week.

Jonah prayed!

One commentary says that Jonah died and was raised from the dead…I don’t know that I quite agree with that…but I’m sure he was close to death…or was wishing for death!

7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.
8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.

When My soul fainted within me…oh how I know that feeling!
Often, I know that feeling.
And still – I am only delivered by remembering the Lord!

The Amplified doesn’t add much –

7
“When my soul was fainting within me,
I remembered the Lord,
And my prayer came to You,
Into Your holy temple.
8
“Those who regard and follow worthless idols
Turn away from their [living source of] mercy and lovingkindness.
9
“But [as for me], I will sacrifice to You
With the voice of thanksgiving;
I shall pay that which I have vowed.
Salvation is from the Lord!”

What it does do, is explain part of verse 8 – following worthless idols.
The worthless idol I was following was myself – thinking I knew better than God.
The worthless idol that Jonah was following was thinking he was able to get away from God…Kind of putting himself in a position of more power than God.

God said Go – Jonah said NO.
God said Go – Christi said No.
If I say that God is my God, and I say no to him…is he really my God?
Who I my God?
If I think that I have the right to contradict the God of creation…oh wait…someone did that….SATAN!

Satan decided that he wanted to call the shots…which meant, he wanted to be Like God…equal to God…above God?
Got Questions has a great set of articles on the fall of Satan.

The scary thing to me is that I was acting just like Satan!

Back to Jonah!

Jonah 2:9 AMP
But I with the voice of thanksgiving
will sacrifice to you;
what I have vowed I will pay.
Salvation belongs to the Lord!”

A voice of thanksgiving…in the midst of trials! Great point! and, it can sometimes be a sacrifice!

Steps of turning….
1. Jonah recognized he was underthe wrath of God – and repents.

Romans 1:18 – 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

2. He avoided the trap of ingratitude that God hates:

Romans 1:21 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

3. Jonah remembered what he’d vowed when he became a follower….with a voice of thanksgiving…I will sacrifice to you.
How could he sacrifice in the belly of a fish? This was him putting his heart on the altar…sacrificing his fear, or his control(as if he had any) – he was sacrificing himself.

Psalm 116:17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.

4. and he agreed to do God’s will – “what I have vowed, I will pay.”

Psalm 116:18 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,

5. and he declares SALVATION belongs to THE LORD! He recognized and declared his salvation is from God – NO ONE ELSE!

Romans 10:9-10 English Standard Version (ESV)
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
And then God spoke…and the fish obeyed…and lo and behold, Jonah is vomited up right where he needs to be!

Here is where Jonah and My stories start to separate…but there are still similarities. I’ll tell you more when I write about chapter 3.

The story so far, in my artwork:

I hope you are enjoying my little artistic additions…I hope to scan it in at the end and have a decent copy!

So – foxhole prayers – have you prayed any?

Have you needed to repent for saying No to God, and turn around to go the other way?

Isn’t that the perfect illustration of Salvation? We tell God no, until we come to the end of ourselves, and when we pray, he’s right there, ready to save us!

Let me know what you have seen in Jonah 1 & 2 in the comments!
See you next week for Jonah 3!

 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission. The same goes for my written work.
Some artwork is from ChristArt – not me! I have purchased a membership, and the art is copyrighted by them.
Some artwork is from FreeClipArt Library. copyrights belong to them.

I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Depression Journal – Feb 6, 2018

author’s note – this post is a bit depressing…but if you hold on until the end, there is hope! I promise! ~C

It’s February.
my seriously difficult time for depression is between September and February.

This year, I’ve made it to February – though last month, I did ask my doc if we should up my medicine. He said no…to see if I could make it to the end of this season.

And yet, the season of trials is just beginning.
We find out Saturday about what treatment I should be looking at for the kidney cancer.
Jim is looking at what treatment he should be looking at for the prostate cancer.
And, I’m looking at a moody man that will be taking a shot that is supposed to make him moody, have more anger issues, and such like.
I think I need more medicine.

I’m applying the scriptures…
God will not give you any more than you can handle…but the other part of that scripture is often ignore….

1 Corinthians 10:13 King James Version (KJV)
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Where is my escape….?
Getting in the presence of the Lord – I should be being filled with the strength of His joy…maybe I am, and that is why I’m not suicidal right now!

Entering into His gates with thanksgiving….Ps 100:4
I am so filled with gratitude for all the things he has done for me…I go to sleep thanking God and I wake up thanking God and I am amazed at how many ways his hand is upon me during the day, and I am grateful for those as well!

He is my hiding place….Ps 32:7
The name of the Lord is a strong tower – the righteous run into it and are safe. Pr 18:10
He will not leave me nor forsake me. 1 Kings 8:57, deut 31:6, heb 13:5
All things work together for the good of those that love God and are called according to His purposes. Romans 8:28
In this world ye shall have tribulation, but, be of good cheer – I have over come the world. John 16:33

In the Beginning….God which goes with the ending:

Revelation 22:16-17
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

The End – the end of all suffering.
the end of all sorrow.
the end of all tears.

The end of struggle – a glorified body for eternity.
No more pain
no more shame
no more guilt
no more …. no more.

I’ve found a diary from 12/2013 leading up to the suicide attempt on Christmas of 2014.
The heart cry is the same as today.
The issues causing the heart cry are the same today.
The mental hospitals are the same today.
My husband is the same today.
God is the same today.
What is different?

I am.

It’s 3 plus years since those days….the hospital stay, the inpatient stay at the resident treatment.
I’d had surgery on my neck…and now I’m looking at surgery on my kidney.
I’ve done much work on applying scriptures to the negative voices in my head.
I’ve done much work on applying principles I’ve been taught to help myself to not degrade into the despair that drags me down, down, down into the devastating quagmire of suicidal depression.
Each day, I fight something.
Sometimes, each minute.
But I am fighting….

Yet, there are times that I’m just exhausted.

Where is my escape button?
Where is my release?
When do I get released from this valley of the shadow of death?
I am truly grateful that YOU, oh Lord, are with me!
Yes – truly, your rod and your staff they comfort me, because I know you are there.
Where is the table, though?
Where is the anointing of my head?

Why am I not certain of where are the green pastures and the still waters?
Where are you leading me, Oh Lord?

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

Psalm 51:
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Psalm 37:
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

and

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

I know these truths to be true…
My wounded heart is bleeding.
My wounded soul is screaming…
and, I know that I have to walk through this darkness to get through to the light.

I can’t make it, Lord.
I can’t do it, Lord.
I have no strength in me.

You promised to finish the work you began in me. phil 1:6
You promised that you would hold me in the palm of your hand. John 10:29, Psalm 95:7
You promised that my enemies would fall at my side. Psalm 91:7
You promised that I would never be alone…that you would never leave me nor forsake me. Heb 13:5
You promised that I am seated in the heavenlies with Christ Jesus! Ephesians 2:6
You promised me that you would make an escape.

I cry out, Lord, for you to make good on your promises….
I humble myself before you,
I confess my sins before the brothers and sisters that read this,
I declare that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and that HE redeemed me from the pit!
I declare that My God is an awesome God!

Secrets will be revealed.
Darkness will be lightened.
Hidden things will be exposed.

But Thou oh Lord are a shield for me, the glory and the lifter of My head!Psalm 3:3
I will dwell in the secret place of the most high, Psalm 91
and abide under the shadow of HIS wings…
This is my hiding place…You are my hiding place…Psalm 32:7
you shall preserve me from trouble!
You will comfort me, with songs of deliverance!
What time I am afraid, I will trust in you! Psalm 56:3

Psalm 32:8
8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Psalm 56:1-5
56 1 Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.

Psalm 64:1-4
64 1 Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

Psalm 27:1-4
27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

Confession
Prayer
Bible Verses….
These are the tools that have brought me thus far….
and they have NO power, except for the ONE that wrote them down and instructed us…and taught us to pray and confess our sins.

I don’t feel like it’s a way to escape the temptation…but, on the other hand, it’s worked so far!
Each day that I do not take my own life is one day stronger to not take my own life.
Each day that I don’t think about suicide is one day stronger to be free from those voices.

Many quote this verse…Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – and yet, ignore the previous verses…Paul is talking about being flexible in want or plenty, in weakness or in strength. He’s talking about being strong in trials.

Even those verses apply now…to my being content in whatever place I find myself.
Whether in sorrow or rejoicing
whether in pain or in health
whether in weakness or in strength.

Just like the downward suction of depression is like the spiral of a powerful whirlpool…to climb up out of the depression takes a spiral turn, like the spiraling staircase that seems to go on forever. Maybe it does…but, each step up is another not taken downward!

I was praying as I wrote this, and after the draft…while going through the day, and I was reminded of

Psalm 16:11 King James Version (KJV)
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

God promises to show me the path of life…and this…is also where my joy is sourced…HIS PRESENCE!
This is one of Jesus’s promises, one of His goals for his time here.

John 17:13 King James Version (KJV)
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

While driving, the Song In the eye of the storm came on the radio.

We are the body of Christ – and the most wonderful thing about being part of a body is that other members get to know you….and notice, or are led to touch your heart when it’s hurting.

Here are some of the things that dear sisters in Christ did for me yesterday, as I continued to struggle with my heart:

Dear Sister Tori sent me an article from Daily Devotionals written by Sheila Walsh. It reminded me of Project SemiColon, and the Christian movement against suicide. It’s based on the concept that when an author could end a sentence, but chooses not to, she uses a semi-colon.

There are tattoo semicolon projects – this youtube is filled with less than perfect language…beware.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Sister Melinda sent me a song to listen to. Fighting Words by Ellie Holcomb.

This led me to The Broken Beautiful, and Wonderfully Made.

Here is the prayer I’m ending this blog with – He’s a Chain Breaker!

My confession of Victory is Mandisa’s Overcomer!

I’ve written a Basic plan for understanding how to obtain Joy in Oil of Joy.
I’ve written other things about depression. If you want to read more, please do a search on my blog for depression.

I’ve also written about Suicide – my major piece being about the Day I committed Suicide.

There is another ministry for helping – To Write Love On Her Arms.

If you have come to this page because you are contemplating suicide, please dial 1-800-273-TALK or visit the National Suicide Prevention LifeLine.

 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission. The same goes for my written work.
Some artwork is from ChristArt – not me! I have purchased a membership, and the art is copyrighted by them.
Some artwork is from FreeClipArt Library. copyrights belong to them.

I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Jonah Chapter 1

Jonah

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!) The conversation starts Monday, February 5th.
Itty Bitty Bible Study – Jonah – introduction

Jonah chapter 1
The whole premise of Jonah starts out in the very first couple  of verses.
God tells him to go left and he goes right or you could say God told him to go right and he went left.

This reminds me of the parable of the two sons in Matthew 21:28-32. The difference is, the disobedient one chose to go obey – he wasn’t swallowed by a fish. Or is that really a difference?

I promised you a story!

I just want to make confession right now, that I know that I am saved by faith are by grace through faith and that not of my own but it’s the gift of God.
I know that I was saved in 1969.
I also know that God became my father figure which means that with some issues of a teenage girl I wasn’t always so good at listening to my father God.
I had been part of ministry teams.
I had served in many capacities and all sorts of ways through my Junior and Senior High School.
That’s age 9 through 17!

As we came up to my graduation, I had been working full time to pay the bills for or at least help pay the bills for my mom and my brother. I was given a scholarship to The Ohio State University. It was for music and art. At least that’s what I remember. I also loved English and there are so many ways I could have gone. The difficulty was that I had no self esteem, and I remember that when I got the scholarship, which I didn’t even remember applying for, I looked up to the sky and said “you have no idea what you’re talking about.” Yes, I was talking to GOD!

Think about a teenager, I was seventeen at the time, being told by their parents,

“you have such a great gift! You need to go to college and you need to explore your gift and to give it back to mankind!”

And that teenager just looking at their parents and saying “you have no idea what you’re talking about.” That makes sense, right? This is the difficulty with 17 year olds…they know so much more than their elders! The problem was, I wasn’t talking to my earthly parent! I completely confess that this is not the way a person should interact with the Creator God of the universe, and I’m not excusing my behavior, I’m just explaining it.

One requirement was that I was supposed to take an SAT or an ACT test. It’s the rite of passage of all good students. I was a 3.8 or 3.9 grade point average, while slacking, and working full time, so the ACT and SATshould not have been very difficult for me. For the first time in my life, I got test anxiety and doubled over and was not able to go take the test. I knew I would fail. I knew I didn’t have it in me in order to take the test that would seal my going off to college.

I also had no idea how I was going to afford it because for some reason, I had no concept of the scholarship program. At the time, my mom was basically incapacitated and my dad was not really helping me because he was very busy with his wife and her children. So I didn’t do the test. What I did do was go to a Navy Recruiting Station. There, they had me take an ASVAB and I aced the ASVAB on all of the different things that you can choose from. I was told “well you can choose whatever job description you want.” I felt that I’d found my place in which to succeed! I knew that they would train me, I knew that I would be paid, I knew that medical things would be taken care of, and I knew that I’d be able to send money home.

I remember signing the recruiting papers and seeing that Ohio State scholarship letter before my eyes and saying, again, “God you don’t know what you’re talking about I am not good enough for that.” Years later I found out that the Navy actually has art and music programs and I was so determined that I was not skilled enough, I didn’t even notice these. Or actually, as the story moves along, God blinded my eyes.

I was excited to be going into the Navy. I always have felt that it is each Citizen’s responsibility to serve their country in some form and I was going to serve my country. So I was shipped off to Orlando, Florida(in July and August) for boot camp for women. Day one was tricky, day two was interesting, and on day 3 as we were running around the big parking lot we called a grinder to do the Run part of our physical training, I fell.

Actually, during the run, I was excited and turned to the Sailor that was jogging with me and said “this is great! I’m not out of breath! I’m not dizzy! I’m doing the Run!” No sooner had I gotten those last words out of my mouth, that I blacked out and from the description of those that were there I fell straight back on my rear end, snapped my neck back and hit my head on the pavement. This paved area was like the size of a football field, I think, and the people on the far Corner heard my head hit the concrete or the pavement. Needless to say everyone was concerned.

I’m pretty sure I went to sick call right away, but because there was no damage, I was probably given some sort of pain medication and sent back to the unit. As swelling incurred in my low back, I started having less and less use of my right leg and while I had started out as the caller (think Cantor) for the unit’s marching, at this point I was needing to be carried back and forth to class and to the dining hall. Naturally, I was sent back to the Infirmary.

I had pain from my right hip down my right leg and I was not able to put weight on it. They called it paralysis(or a word similar) at the time. While I was lying on bedrest for one week, stuck all by myself in this completely white environment, void of any other color, I asked the Lord why he allowed this to happen. He told me “I said go to school.” At this point I made a bargain with God, but I’ll write about that a little later. Right now the main point is that the inflammation did go down enough and I was able to finish my boot camp and graduate with my unit(part of my deal with God). I went on to San Diego, California for my a school. Radioman, which was very early computer things and the Navy had plans for me to be the first female on a Navy ship that wasn’t just a supply ship, to be in the Radio Shack. God had other plans.

Jonah chapter 1
The whole premise of Jonah starts out in the very first couple  of verses.
God tells him to go left and he goes right or you could say God told him to go right and he went left.

Jonah, son of Amittai, is mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25-26

25 He(the King) restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher. 26 For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel.

Here we have Jonah. he has prophesied before to Great results, so he knows that when he hears this voice that this voice is God’s voice and he needs to listen. One of the things that I don’t quite get or didn’t until looking into this booklet is why do you just take off and run? In the various links I gave you for introduction there are some theories about Nineveh being an enormously powerful pagan City, and then he was just afraid for his life. I get it, no problem.

I think we have the answer in Jonah 4:1-3 where Jonah is fussing at God because God answered the prayer of the Ninevites to deliver them after Jonah preached destruction. I’m not absolutely certain, but I think just about every time destruction is prophesied there is that olive leaf of Hope that if you turn … but if you return to me… but if you confess your sins…if you humble yourself and seek my face I will hear from heaven and heal your land. I think Jonah knew this, and maybe a little bit of his ego is in there, thinking “I’m going to preach Hell-ire and Damnation and God’s going to come in with grace, mercy and forgiveness and everybody is going to point at me and say you were all wrong.”

One point that I want to make about this is I think everyone, me included, has some Jonah in our hearts. When God says to do one thing, and I really, really do not want to admit that I heard him. In fact, I have a book I’ve been choosing not to hear God about for a few years and I’m working on it now I’m trying to be obedient now. I’ve been supposed to be writing Bible studies all along and I’ve told God that I don’t have the schooling, I don’t have the training, I don’t have the Theology and Seminary degrees behind my name so obviously he has the wrong person. That didn’t work so well with Moses. Didn’t work well with Jeremiah. It hasn’t worked so well with me. Is there something in YOUR life that God has called you to do and you are choosing to turn a deaf ear? How different is that from running the other direction and hopping onto a ship?

So in my old age, I’m just giving up and deciding to be obedient. I guess God has kept me alive 57 years because he knew I would just give up. My suggestion to you no matter how old you are is give up now! If you have given your life to God through Christ Jesus and you have the Holy Spirit living within you, you are not your own! You were bought with a price! Even more so, there are giftings that God created in you that you would produce fruit and good works That’s all stuff in Ephesians and Corinthians. One of the things that I am learning is that when God calls you to do something he will strengthen you and enable you to do it.

The next point that I see in this first chapter is how disobeying God put a whole bunch of innocent people in jeopardy. Jonah wasn’t even aware of the storm that was threatening to destroy the ship and kill everyone on it. I’m a little disappointed with Jonah that they had to draw a lots to figure out who it was it was causing this and yet God still orchestrated that. There was probably some aspect in these men’s minds that couldn’t just say oh yeah it’s me and believe him. The drawing of lots, or the straws, the pulling the Short Straw or whatever, this was all something that would be common in their mind to find out what the will of whatever god was attacking them was. But kudos to Jonah “yep I’m a Hebrew. God is mad at me and he’s found me and you need to throw me over the ship.”
Kudos to the sailors that didn’t want to just throw him over the ship, though we know they did.

Now, the voluntary being thrown over the ship looks really self sacrificing on the cover, but he was still trying to get out of going to Nineveh. I don’t even know if he knew how to swim. He’s like “throw me over and I’ll die and I won’t have to go to Nineveh.” The reason I say this is going back to a later part of Jonah, chapter 4, when he’s fussing it God because God forgave Nineveh. He says “just take my life it’s not worth anything.” I know prophets are prone to drama, and depression. All you have to do is read the prophets and you’ll see that very clearly. I’m thinking Jonah was having them, rather than take his own life, which would not fly well in the face of Hebrew theology, he was having the men on the ship throw him over and he wouldn’t have any responsibility for his suicide. It would fall under death at sea, or murder…but not suicide. Likewise, later when he’s fussing with God he tells God take my life! There’s a mentality here.

Why am I pointing out this suicidal issue?
I have lived with suicidal ideations, suicide attempts, depression, anxiety and a whole host of other mental illnesses and syndromes that come from PTSD from abuse. I can hear the sound of suicide in someone’s voice. Not always, not every time. Oh, my goodness, wouldn’t it be awesome if every single time someone was contemplating suicide and wasn’t telling anybody I could say hey I know that you’re thinking of suicide and I would like to help you and then there would be no more suicides because people could be saved before they make a decision. What I’m saying is, I’m familiar with the parameters that can draw someone down to the depths of despair where they wish they had never been born.

Spending three days in a fish just might do it.

The Fish?

I guess this would be a good time to discuss the great fish that God prepared beforehand to swallow Jonah. A fish big enough to swallow a man. Well, God created everything with one word. The fish probably was not created that day and may have just been created and grown. On the other hand, God could create that fish at that time, at that place and that size to collect Jonah and take him where he needed to be. I provided several resources in the introduction blog about was Jonah swallowed by a fish or a whale. and I will put those links here again as well.

The Bible Answer Man about Jonah
Institute in Creation Resarch
GotQuestions

I hope you all enjoyed photos of our whale watching trip, and I cannot explain to you how Majestic those blue whales were in real life! Even as huge as they are, I don’t think they can actually swallow anyone because they have a different kind of mouth. They are amazing no matter what. Our God is an awesome God and all creation sings his price!

If you missed it, put this url in the search box and you should be able to enjoy them!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/w3NLZH8rdiY3BWqY2

I also found this little overview – from the overviewbible on Jonah.

This art is from them:

Yes, I’m going to be applying scripture to this, because scripture does apply!
For now – let’s accept that Jonah is scripture! Of course it is!

 

Jim & Christi 2017

 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission. The same goes for my written work.
Some artwork is from ChristArt – not me! I have purchased a membership, and the art is copyrighted by them.
Some artwork is from FreeClipArt Library. copyrights belong to them.

I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Midnight Musings – The Cry of My heart – February 2, 2018

The cry MY the heart

by MCWildman

The Cry of the heart, The tear of the eye
Depression does start Though I think it’s not nigh.

I’m laughing and singing And praising the Lord
When all of the sudden My mind becomes torn.

I can find no reason, I can find no rhyme
I can’t even predict If there’ll be a next time.

The joy of the Lord it is my strength
But the truth be told Sometimes I am too weak

I know all the tools, I have Bible plans
Then I feel like a fool that is trying to stand.

It’s not on my own feet Upon which I stand
For I know and can see They are just sinking sand.

No words from a Sage, No songs from a poet
no silly do Dilly’s From memes that do show it

The cliches are so tired, The phrases so old
How I hate how I’m wired, How I hate this dark cold

I know this shall pass, I know it will end
But right in the moment for my life I do fend

I do not wish To take my own life
But I get so tired Of overwhelming strife

And then there’s the pain That no one can find
Just sad looks from the the ones that are kind

The loneliness bogs Me down to my knees
And I pray my dear God Deliver me please.

What is the thorn In the Flesh do I ask?
I don’t know that I’m up for this task!

I know that your glory will shine on me
The day that your face I will joyfully see.

The light of your face will break through all the dark
And the worth of these trials will be known in my heart.

But tonight, oh dear Jesus, please give me a sign
Please help me to know that you’ll hold me as thine.

I believe in you Lord and I trust that you’ll stay
And complete the work that you began on that day

It’s nothing of me that can do your good work
There’s no hope for me except in You, Lord

My heart it is struggling
my mind is confused
But I know I believe
And my trust is in you.

The darkness will cease, the pain has an end
As long as I believe, will my soul comprehend?

Oh Silent Night, oh distance song
Angels, please sing to me all the night long

Tell me of Jesus, tell me of he, who gave of his life that living I’d be

No pain is too great, of heart mind or soul
To equal the cross and that took its toll

You did that for me and I didn’t believe
But now that I do I can only receive
joy for my sorrow, peace for my pain
Love for my heartache, Grace for my shame

Truth has two edges, love has two sides
thy kingdom shall be in the sweet by-and-by

And when that day comes I will be ever thrilled
To stand in your presence sing to you still

So sing in the Darkness, laugh at the pain
For this is all Shadows of what I will gain!

No Darkness can take my salvation from me
no depression can Steal My Hope for to see

as it was in the beginning, is now and it shall be
World Without End ruled by God the almighty.
(c)2018 MCWildman

 

Jim & Christi 2017

 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission. The same goes for my written work.
Some artwork is from ChristArt – not me! I have purchased a membership, and the art is copyrighted by them.
Some artwork is from FreeClipArt Library. copyrights belong to them.

I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Jonah – Introduction

Jonah

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!) The conversation starts Monday, February 5th.

Introduction from Bible.org

Great source of information, and I have grabbed the outline from the above link:

B. Brief Outline (basically in two parts, chapters 1,2 and 3,4)

1. chapter 1 – God’s will rejected and replaced by Jonah’s will. God wins!

2. chapter 2 – Jonah repents (poem written in past tense and depicts worship in the temple in Jerusalem).

3. chapter 3 – God’s will received; Nineveh repents.

4. chapter 4 – God’s character revealed in contrast to Jonah’s attitude and action.

As you know by now, I love Dr. J. Vernon McGee.
His ministry provides study guides and such, and an introduction to Jonah. In this, he discusses the theological perspectives and pulls apart the covers, showing that the pompous considerations do not hold water in light of scripture. He also clearly demonstrates that Jonah is NOT A FISH STORY!!!

You can go to the link above and get the study guide, or I’m going to try to make the jonah pdf available here. no22_jonah

This past year, we were able to take a whale watching cruise, and we got photos of the beluga whale…I think.
While there are various reasons that the whale might not be the fish…here’s some photos just for your amusement. I you have to copy this and put it into the url bar.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/w3NLZH8rdiY3BWqY2

Christi, you say there’s reasons that it may not be a whale?

Here is the Institute in Creation Research’s point of view on whale vs fish.

Another place I like to look for some answers is GotQuestions.org. They discus whether Jonah was swallowed by a fish…and whether we should believe the story.

My first focus is on verses 1-3, and I will be sharing a story about how God told me to go to college, and I said no and joined the Navy. Like Jonah, I ended up being put in position wherein I had nothing to do but to cry out to God!

Week one, we’ll look at chapters 1& 2 – and how we say NO to God’s leading, and how we can turn that around.

Week two, we’ll look at chapters 3 & 4 – obedience doesn’t always lead to the outcomes we assume, and how that can effect our attitude.

Also, I intend to be creating my own Jonah art – and I’ll be posting it a bit at a time with each blog.

rough sketch

 

Jim & Christi 2017

 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission. The same goes for my written work.
Some artwork is from ChristArt – not me! I have purchased a membership, and the art is copyrighted by them.
Some artwork is from FreeClipArt Library. copyrights belong to them.

I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Obadiah 1:10-21 and summary

Obadiah
The vision of Obadiah from Jehovah about the judgement of Edom.

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!) The next conversation starts Monday, February 5th, on Jonah.

In Obadiah 1:1-9, we talked about the WHO and the WHAT.

Edom and Pride
Yet there was even more reason for why God was judging Edom.

WHY is God Judging Edom?
Verses 10-15

The short answer:

Obadiah 1:10 Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob,
shame shall cover you,
and you shall be cut off forever.

The historians talk about several times when Edom laughed at Judah, and even ambushed those that ran away from attacks. Because there were several times, they have difficulty dating the book.
Those various discussions can be found in any introduction to obadiah – Blue Letter Bible has a selection. Also, one could google for introduction of Obadiah, and many bible programs come up with these. Seriously, the point to me is that Edom had an attitude towards Judah, and was no help to them in their time of need.

What does that say to us, today?
Jesus’s teaching –

Luke 6:31 English Standard Version (ESV)
31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Matthew 7:12
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

The parable of the Good Samaritan – Luke 10:25-37

The writer of Proverbs says:

Proverbs 24:17-18 English Standard Version (ESV)
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
18 lest the Lord see it and be displeased,
and turn away his anger from him.

There are many verses where the child of God was crying out that the enemy not rejoice over them.

God did not choose to judge Edom because he wanted to judge someone.
God gave Edom many chances, and

Ezekiel 33:11 English Standard Version (ESV)
11 Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?

Here, we can see, it wasn’t just Edom. He warned Israel. He warned Judah. HE WARNS US!

But it is NOT HIS DESIRE!

2 Peter 3:9 English Standard Version (ESV)
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,[a] not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 English Standard Version (ESV)
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Judgement must come for sin. Or, there is no standard.

Obadiah 1:15-16
15 For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations.
As you have done, it shall be done to you;
your deeds shall return on your own head.
16 For as you have drunk on my holy mountain,
so all the nations shall drink continually;
they shall drink and swallow,
and shall be as though they had never been.

Matthew 7:16-20 King James Version (KJV)
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Judgement begins at the house of the Lord!

1 Peter 4:17
17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[c]

James 3:1
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

1 Corinthians 3:12-13 King James Version (KJV)
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

scary stuff…or it could be, if we didn’t know about the work of Jesus.

Obadiah 1:17-21 talks about the deliverance of Judah.

God gave them a promise in Jeremiah 1:19

19 They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.”

Do a search on “be strong and…” in scripture…those that were under attack were told to be strong and courageous…because GOD!

And God gave us a deliverer in Jesus Christ!

Romans 5:1-4
5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith[b] into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

One of the neat things about scripture is that the promises that Jeremiah spoke to the Israel and Judah are also promises to us!

2 Corinthians 1:20 English Standard Version (ESV)
20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

Why does God deliver us from ourselves?
For HIS glory!

Obadiah 1:21
Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion
to rule Mount Esau,
and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.

And that is for which we were created!

Isaiah 43:1-7
But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
4 Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
peoples in exchange for your life.
5 Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you.
6 I will say to the north, Give up,
and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth,
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”

GotQuestions.org discusses the purpose of man, and how we are to glorify God.

We glorify Him be being a light to the darkness, salt to the rotten world, and love to the hurting, peace to the distressed, kind to the broken, joy to the depressed.

Ephesians 2:10 English Standard Version (ESV)
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Micah 6:8 English Standard Version (ESV)
8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,[a]
and to walk humbly with your God?

Mark 12:30-31 English Standard Version (ESV)
30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

For me, these are the points that I need to learn from Obadiah.
I said I wanted to learn how to avoid the sins of Edom, and by drawing near to God, and choosing His path, I can avoid that!
Also, I thank God that I have 1 John 1:9 and 1 John 2:1-2.
I know that I cannot do it on my own. And I thank God that Jesus has made the way, and that the Holy Spirit lives within me to guide and comfort me!

How about you?
What is your take away from Obadiah?
What can you apply to your life today, to avoid the judgement of the Lord?

 

Jim & Christi 2017

 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission. The same goes for my written work.
Some artwork is from ChristArt – not me! I have purchased a membership, and the art is copyrighted by them.
Some artwork is from FreeClipArt Library. copyrights belong to them.

I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Morning Worship – Joyful Joyful – 2/1/2018

Joyful joyful we adore thee…

the lyrics….Oh my!

The Methodist church provides these lyrics:

Ode to Joy

I love the piano guys….and my favorite christmas carol is Joy to the world!

many years ago, in the midst of my darkest depression, I wrote Oil of Joy

Jesus – the core of my Joy!

https://youtu.be/iPeVIuRjUi4

The Lyrics to Jesu, Joy of Man’s desiring.

This is my confession – that I am responsible for my joy, by leaning on Jesus!

and here is my prayer:

and my profession of Faith

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

John 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

The first named fruit of the spirit are LOVE, JOY, PEACE.
Love the Lord your God, and He will fill you with Joy, and in that Joy and Love, you will find Peace!

Philippians 4:7 English Standard Version (ESV)
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace!

Psalm 16:11 English Standard Version (ESV)
11 You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

We have access to HIS PRESENCE through Jesus Christ!

1 John 4:19 English Standard Version (ESV)
19 We love because he first loved us.

We are able to love, because HE LOVES US!

My husband sings this song to me when I am struggling with depression…and has song this to our children.

1 Corinthians 13: 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Galatians 5:22-23 English Standard Version (ESV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Because of HIS love, I can enter into His presence.
In His presence is the fullness of Joy.
He will keep me in perfect peace because, in His presence, my mind is stayed on HIM.
Confidence that HE will complete the work HE began gives me patience.
Because of HIS great love, I can treat others with kindness, goodness, gentleness.
Because HE is faithful, I am able to believe, by grace, and through HIM, I can be faithful!
Because He lives in Me, and by Him, I am dead to sin, I can grow in Self Control.

If this is not something worth rejoicing, I do not know what is!

And I found this lovely art piece from Jan Marvin Art of Joy!

Find Joy today!
 

Jim & Christi 2017

 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission. The same goes for my written work.
Some artwork is from ChristArt – not me! I have purchased a membership, and the art is copyrighted by them.
Some artwork is from FreeClipArt Library. copyrights belong to them.

I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! 
Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.