Tag Archives: Christ

Second Sunday of Lent – 3/5/2023

Lent Devotions
Lent Week Two
We have created a facebook group in which to follow and discuss, please join! – 40 days of Lent!

Second Sunday of Lent

If you are doing the Lenten Cross – light all but one. I am starting from the bottom, it seems symbolic to me. Here’s a photo of my cross:

Second Sunday of Lent

The Second Sunday of Lent
The final words of Jesus
“Today you will be with me in Paradise”

Music
Pass Me not Oh Gentle Savior – Don Moen

Scripture
Luke 23:43 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
43 And He said to him, “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

Devotion
I want to break this down by word.
Today -Jesus isn’t saying that sometime in the future or even tomorrow. Jesus is saying to this man, who has repented(confessed his sins) while hanging on the cross next to Jesus, today you will be with me in Paradise. This man knew he was a sinner. This man probably knew that according to the law he was going to hell. This man acknowledged Jesus as the son of God and asked him to forgive him.(Luke 23:39-43). Jesus’s response was today…TO HIM!

You – Jesus isn’t saying that the other thief was going to be with him in Paradise. Jesus isn’t saying that the ones who put him on the cross would be with him in Paradise. Jesus is speaking specifically to this man, who had declared his faith in Jesus, confessed that he was a sinner, and asked to be delivered. Jesus could have called him by name I’m sure, but the way we have it written is you.

YOU! THIS IS A PERSONAL PROMISE! This is a conversation and a promise from Jesus Christ to the thief as Jesus Christ was dying for his sins for him. As we know later in the story Jesus dies before the two thieves do and therefore Jesus paid the price before the thief died and therefore again, Jesus died first, paid the price and then the thief died and he went to Paradise to be with Jesus. Talk about a last minute conversion! Yet, that is all it takes to be promised life in Jesus! Recognize you are a sinner, repentance(in this case, confession and sorry), confess that Jesus is Lord, Wait – the next part of that verse is believe that God raised him from the dead! Romans 10:9 The thief was confessing Jesus BEFORE the prophecy was even fulfilled! The thief was confessing something that even those that had walked with Jesus were not sure about! The ultimate death bed confession! WOW!

WILL BE – this might be a bit nit-picky, but I’m going to say it anyway: will be.
Today.
you.
will be.
It’s not today you might be. It’s not today you could be. It’s today you WILL BE with me in Paradise. These are the words of Jesus Christ, the son of the Living God, the God whose word spoke creation into being, the One who is the way, the truth and the light and life, and God cannot lie! Jesus was not just saying something to make him feel good. Jesus wasn’t just using some strange turn of phrase to sound good in the King James version. When Jesus said that the thief will be with me in Paradise that’s what he meant.
He meant I’m going to die and pay the price.
Then, you’re going to die, and your sins will be forgiven and
then, you will be with me in Paradise.

Let every man be a liar but God is faithful and cannot lie(Romans 3:4; Num 23:19). What an amazing confirmation for this man as he hangs on the cross next to the man that he’s committing his life to, or what is left of it.

WITH ME – the need for Salvation is that by sin we are separated from God. That’s what happened with Adam and Eve in the garden.
They disobeyed God,
He had to remove them from the garden or Paradise, and
they no longer got to walk with him in the evening and
no longer had perfect fellowship with him.

Somehow Enoch walked with God and ended up being raptured/taken up.
Elijah had some amazing relationship with God that the Chariot came and picked him up and took him up to heaven.

We are not able to walk with God in the way that Adam and Eve did in the garden, or not willing to walk with God in the way that Enoch, Elijah, or even Moses – the friend of God – did.
Even so, our human nature does desire some sort of connection with the supernatural and that is our heart cry for us to be with God.

The thief just declared that Jesus was the son of God and was not a sinner and asked him to take him to his kingdom. In the midst of dying, Jesus looks at him and says you will be with me. I imagine a life of crime would be one that’s very lonely. Always looking over your shoulder and such like and whatever drove the man to a life of crime would be something that again would cause extreme loneliness.

In my life, having mental illness and having a history of abuse and some other things have caused me to be peculiar enough that I have spent much time being lonely. There are people that would say “yeah I’ll be with you” and they are until life gets rough or until the second or third time I have had to back out of something because of an anxiety attack or migraine or pain or whatever. Sometimes it takes 10 to 12 times and yet I’m not someone that they can just call up and say “hey, Let’s go do this or that” and I can drop everything and go. People get tired that I have disabilities and difficulties.

Even worse than that, because of a life of low self-esteem and self-loathing, I’m constantly dealing with “what if they find out who I really am they won’t like me and they will desert me.” These are called cognitive distortions and yet they are real, and they make for a very very lonely existence. It only takes a few times where somebody actually makes good on what are supposedly cognitive distortion lies to re-establish those cognitive distortions that “everybody hates, me nobody likes me, I think I’ll go eat worms!”

Here’s this thief. Thieves are not cared for in the least. Think about how in the old west the cattle rustlers were despicable, horse thieves where despicable all because they stole the livelihood of others. There was no insurance policies for someone who was robbed back in Jesus’s day. Someone steals something from you and it’s gone and if that was the only something you had, now you are in a world of hurt.
I think about Matthew the tax collector or Zacchaeus, and how they were hated because they were tax collectors and they took extra. They were kind of government sanctioned thieves. The Pharisees were constantly ridiculing Jesus for spending his time with publicans and sinners and that if Jesus was actually the Son of God he would never spend time with these type of people.

Jesus stating to this thief that he would be with him speaks volumes

IN PARADISE – This can get very tricky because of various theological viewpoints. There is some question as to where was Abraham when the Lazarus the poor man died and the rich man came and said send him to talk to my brothers and Lazarus was in Abraham’s bosom(Luke 16:19-31).

Some think that that was Hades, a waiting place until Christ died on the cross and brought them back up taking them to heaven.
Some think that there is a place that’s not quite the kingdom of heaven but is not hell and it’s waiting place that when Christ returns in the Rapture and he calls up and then the dead in Christ will rise first will come up and meet him in the clouds.
There’s the Catholic perspective of purgatory and I don’t know enough about that to speak on it.

There is the statement in Ephesians 1:20 where Christ is seated at the right hand of God and we are seated in the heavenlies with him now(Ephesians 2:6)? Is that figurative because we’re not there yet or when Stephen saw Jesus sitting at the right hand of God(Acts 7:56) just before he was stoned, was that stating that Jesus had died on the cross, he gone to set the dead free and then he went up ascended into heaven? That is what happens in Acts 1:9-11 and Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. Then there’s the passage in Revelations where the martyrs are under the altar asking God “how long do we have to wait before judgment comes on the world?” Revelations 6:9-11. All of this to say there’s a lot of variations out there to believe, to research and to decide on.

For what it’s worth here’s my take.

Where Jesus is is Paradise.

To be with Jesus is to be in Paradise.

I don’t know how many realms there are. Hell, Hades, Death. I know that Paul talks about being taken up to a third level of Heaven.
I like Got Questions Explanation of what Paul said:

In 2 Corinthians 12:2 Paul says he knew a man (assumed to be himself—he is speaking in the third person) who went to the “third heaven.” The “third heaven” here simply means the spiritual dwelling of God, as opposed to the other two “heavens,” the atmosphere and outer space. The three “heavens” implied in 2 Corinthians 12:2 would be the three different realms that we call “the sky,” “outer space,” and the “spiritual heaven.”

My point is that this man, dying next to Jesus, was promised that he wasn’t going to be lying in a grave rotting, that he was not going into nothingness, that he was not going into that Hades(the place where the rich man was was constantly to tormented by fire(Luke 16:19-31)).

Jesus said today you will be with me in Paradise.

My Story
I have had three near-death experiences. I have two that I have small paintings that depict, in part, what I experienced.. I have one painting in progress. I can tell you that in those near death experiences the beauty that I saw was so intense that I could feel the colors. The light permeated every cell of my body and the love washed over me as if I was immersed in liquid love. I have written about those in two blogs and I’m going to post those here, rather than rewrite them.

Glimpses of Heaven – Stairway to Heaven
Glimpses of Heaven – a Glimpse of Jesus

All I can say is having seen a glimpse, no matter how tainted it is by my finite mind, I declare that the promise of being in Paradise with Christ Jesus is exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ask or think and is so immeasurably enriching and enlightening and life-full, that to hear Jesus say to me some day “today you will be with me in Paradise” is second only to wanting to hear him say “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Confession – Oh my! Hearing that Billy Graham has entered into his eternal life gives me jealousy! To know the riches that he is experiencing now and to know that he definitely paid the price and he sacrificed his life and gave it for the Lord, challenges me. I thank God that I got to know a little bit of the ministry of that man.

When I hear that someone has gone on, specifically, someone who has lived a ripe life for the Lord and was ready to go, I am full of rejoicing because I know I’m going to see them again! I know, in part, what an amazing party and celebration they’re going to have that our finite minds cannot comprehend. Everything here pales in comparison!

I do think that this is one of my favorite phrases that Jesus says at the end of his life. And I hope this gives you a little bit of an insight as to why I feel that way.

There’s a part of this verse I have not covered. Jesus said something else in Luke 23:43
A Bit of a word study:
Truly – NIV, ESV, NAS, BEREAN, CSB
I assure you – NLT
Verily – KJV, JUBILEE, ASV
I promise – CEV
I tell you with certainty – ISV
AMEN – ARAMAIC
I tell you in solemn truth – WEYMOUTH
I can guarantee this truth – GOD’S WORD TRANSLATION.

Jesus made a promise….declared a promise…I think in this moment, Jesus breathed that creative power, and the man became a new creature. Jesus was being GOD!

Numbers 23:19 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
19 God is not a man who lies,
or a son of man who changes His mind.
Does He speak and not act,
or promise and not fulfill?

2 Corinthians 1:20 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
20 For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in Him. Therefore, the “Amen” is also spoken through Him by us for God’s glory.

The same promises that Jesus gave to this man, He gives to us.
The same guarantee that Jesus gave to this man, He gives to us.
Can it be anymore beautiful? No.
But, there is a down side to this story. The other thief.

He was on the other cross. He ridiculed Jesus.
There is a saying – in response to living your life for Christ being fantasy.

If I’m wrong – and there is nothing after this, what have I lost?
If I’m right – you will have lost everything.

What would it have taken for that other thief to hedge his bets? The thing is, it’s a heart attitude. He didn’t want to believe. His heart was hardened. He was presented with the gospel by the other thief. He said no, by not saying yes. In Lent Day Eight, I talked about Jesus crying out for those to believe in the LIGHT. It takes a response.

Another saying I’ve heard about pastors, but since we touched on the martyrs, and I’m not shy about the life of being a Christian is not a bed of roses(unless you include the thorns), I’m going to share this.

The Christian Life is hard –
but the retirement plan is out of this world!

Is there anything that is keeping you from saying “Jesus – please remember me today?”
Here are some simple tools for taking care of this need.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

You can have that need for the supernatural in your life FILLED TODAY!

Don’t be a Judas!

Prayer and Worship

Just As I am – Aaron Shust

At Calvary – Casting Crowns

~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation.

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.

M. Christine Wildman

“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.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.

2018 Lent Day Ten 3/4/2023

Lent Devotions
Lent Week Two
We have created a facebook group to follow and discuss, please join! – 40 days of Lent!

Lent Day Ten
Upper Room

Music
In the Upper Room – the Gatlin brothers

The Upper Room – Mahalia Jackson

Scripture

Luke 22:7-13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Preparation for Passover
7 Then the Day of Unleavened Bread came when the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us, so we can eat it.”

9 “Where do You want us to prepare it?” they asked Him.

10 “Listen,” He said to them, “when you’ve entered the city, a man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him into the house he enters. 11 Tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks you, “Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ 12 Then he will show you a large, furnished room upstairs. Make the preparations there.”

13 So they went and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Mark 14:12-16 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Matthew 26:17-19 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

An unnamed man, going about his business (carrying a water jug) leads the disciples to the house where the owner is willing to open up for Jesus! What is up with this? Do things like this really happen?

My story

Many years ago, back before cell phones existed and when Star Trek Communicator flip phones were still considered sci-fi fantasy, I was sitting in my home when there was a knock on my door. On the other side of the door stood a young man 19 or so, dressed and in the 70’s Jesus Freak style. He looked at me and said “you’re a Christian, right?”

I said “yes, I am. Why?”

He said “because God sent me to this house to ask to borrow your guitar so that I could share Jesus with someone down in the park that I’ve been ministering to.”

Dumbfounded!
Did I have a guitar?
Yes, I did.
It was committed to Jesus Christ.

Obviously I loaned him my guitar! Now there was a lot of walking involved because the guy had to walk at least four blocks to get to my house and I don’t know what part of the park.he was in. He had passed by easily two dozen houses. God told him to come to my house for a guitar. I provided the guitar(which God had provided for me in another story of his provision) and he went back and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ to somebody. Several hours later he, came back and returned my guitar.

To this day, I have no idea who that person was, who the person he was ministering to was, and what the outcome was. What I do know is how it felt to have someone show up at my door, stating that they knew that I was a Christian, that I had a guitar, and I would be willing to loan it to someone to spread the gospel.

Back to Jesus.

The passage starts with the disciples asking him what he wants done about Passover. So this isn’t an incident where Jesus had pre organized this guy showing up with a jug of water, going to a house ,and this house was already set it up. Jesus knew it was going to happen and it happened just like he said. Was it because he had snuck away and talked to the owner and ask them to orchestrate this Grins and Giggles?

I take the Bible by faith. I believe what it says. Sometimes there’s a twist in my life that makes my walk a little bit more interesting. In this very case the twist for my ability to believe about the preparation for Passover is because I was that person to whom Jesus sent a disciple to for a guitar to preach.

In contrast to No room at the Inn! This man had room for Jesus and His followers.

Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us!
For Now – He has prepared an upper room available to US – in His presence – to prepare us for our growth and purpose and fulfillment of our calling in Him!

Farmer’s Prayer with Sweet Hour of Prayer – Jimmy Dean
Sweet hour of Prayer – Radiance Acapella
Sweet Hour of Prayer – Casting Crowns

~~~~~~~

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation.

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.

M. Christine Wildman

“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

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.

2018 Lent Day Eight – 3/2/2023

Lent Devotions
Lent Week Two
We have created a facebook group to follow and discuss, please join! – 40 days of Lent!

Lent Day Eight
Believe or Not, that is the Question

Music:
I hear Jesus Calling – F. C. Barnes and company
Jesus is Calling – Elevation Worship

Scripture:
John 12:35-50

verses 35-36
35 Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become sons of light.”

then verses 44-30
44 Then Jesus cried out, “The one who believes in Me believes not in Me, but in Him who sent Me. 45 And the one who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears My words and doesn’t keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects Me and doesn’t accept My sayings has this as his judge:[f] The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a command as to what I should say and what I should speak. 50 I know that His command is eternal life. So the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”

Devotion
Jesus IS the LIGHT!

John 1:4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
4 Life was in Him,[a]
and that life was the light of men.

John 3:19 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
19 “This, then, is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.

John 8:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Light of the World
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

In John 12:42-43 we read

42 Nevertheless, many did believe in Him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, so they would not be banned from the synagogue. 43 For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

John later clarifies this

1 John 1:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing[a] the truth.

Yesterday, Lent Day Seven, we talked about having ears to hear, and at the end of that post, I stated that a response is expected.

A year ago, I was going through the FIRST verse of Psalm 23 to declare that THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD. This is David’s RESPONSE! He wrote Psalm 23!

From John 12:35-50

35 Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer.
Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going.
36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become sons of light.”

Jesus tells them what response is necessary to BECOME SONS OF LIGHT!

Jesus CRIES OUT!

44 Then Jesus cried out, “The one who believes in Me believes not in Me, but in Him who sent Me.
45 And the one who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.
46 I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness.

It’s as if the heart of Christ is breaking as He pleads with us to believe!

Continuing from yesterday’s post on hearing, God WANTS us to HEAR!

Psalm 81:11-13

Micah 6:1-5

Luke 16:31 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
31 “But he told him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’”

It is crucial to hear – and then to make a choice.

Joshua 24:15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
15 But if it doesn’t please you to worship Yahweh, choose for yourselves today the one you will worship: the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my family, we will worship Yahweh.”

IT IS A CHOICE!

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
15 See, today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and adversity.

17 But if your heart turns away and you do not listen and you are led astray to bow down to other gods and worship them,
18 I tell you today that you will certainly perish and will not live long in the land you are entering to possess across the Jordan.

19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live,
20 love the Lord your God, obey Him, and remain faithful[c] to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land the Lord swore to give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

OUR choice is between Life and Death – Blessing and Curse – life and prosperity, death and adversity. OUR Choice effects not only ourselves, but our descendants – it provides a foundation for their choice!

BELIEVE!

Acts 16:31 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

Our choice AFFECTS THE HOUSEHOLD!

CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH

Romans 10:9-10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.

For more specifics on how to make a choice FOR Life which is the LIGHT of men – Jesus Christ, Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
In honor of Billy Graham who just went home to Jesus today, I am also providing his version of the Plan of salvation

The final piece of today’s passage is from John 12:35-50 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

48 The one who rejects Me and doesn’t accept My sayings has this as his judge: The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
49 For I have not spoken on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a command as to what I should say and what I should speak.
50 I know that His command is eternal life. So the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”

We’re back to God speaking – Jesus is His WORD to us. We will not be judged by predestination and election. We will not be judged by who or what we were. We will be judged by the Words that Christ spoke, and I daresay, all of the Words that are contained in the Holy Bible! We will be judged by creation that declares the existence of a creator. We will be judged for whether or not we sought to know him. And, we will be judged by the fact that HE spoke the words, and we chose not to hear, listen, obey or respond. We will be judged on whether we believed or not. There are various quotes in the self help arena. I have no idea of the original author for this one.

Deciding not to decide is a decision in itself.

The thing is, God has made the decision easy for us!
He’s given us the faith!

Matt 17:20, Luke 17:6

Ephesians 2:8-10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

Hebrews 11 talks of the enormity of this faith! Key verse:

Hebrews 11:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.

Hear the Heart Cry of Jesus!

John 12:36 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become sons of light.” Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them.

Choose ye this day whom ye shall serve!
Choose LIFE – and we know that the life in Jesus is the Light!

John 1:4-5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
4 Life was in Him,
and that life was the light of men.
5 That light shines in the darkness,
yet the darkness did not overcome[b] it.

CHOOSE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD! Let’s Worship:

All to Jesus I Surrender All – Newsboys
All To Jesus I Surrender – by Casting Crowns

Love Lifted Me – Gaither and Kim Hopper
Your Love lifted Me by Ashmont Hill

~~~~~~~

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation.

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.

M. Christine Wildman

“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

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.

Lent 2018 Week Two(2023 dates)

What is LENT? (a link to all of the LENT devotions)
Wikipedia has a very complete explanation for many of the christian denominations that observe LENT.
Short and simple, it’s making oneself prepared through humility to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is the Christian equivalent to Passover for the Jews.
We’ve created a facebook group to follow and discuss, please join us! – 40 days of Lent!

2018 Lent dates – week two(2023 dates)
2/27 – Orthodox Clean Monday

5 – (2/27) Triumphal entry – John 12:12-19; Luke 19:35-40 palm branch
6 – (2/28) Jesus Weeps Luke 19:41-44 tear
7 – (3/1) Voice of God – Listen- John 12:20-36 gold for glory
8 – (3/2) Believe and confess or refuse – John 12:35-50 –
9 – (3/3) Judas’s decision to betray Christ. Luke 22:1-5 piece of silver
10 -(3/4) Upper Room prepared Mk 14:12, Luke 22:7-13 small table?
(3/5) Second of Lent – SUNDAY WORSHIP – REMEMBER THE RESURRECTION “Today in Paradise”

Our Lenten cross in progress.

I want these to be family activities, therefore, I’m going to list a few free coloring page websites here:

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Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation.

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.

M. Christine Wildman

“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

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.

2018 – My One Word – Be Like Jesus – Jan 23, 2018

Sometimes, I feel all alone.
It feels like there is no one on my side.
If feels like that saying “if you were the only one on earth, Jesus would have come to die on the cross for you” – except for all those people around.

Loneliness.
Alone-ness

For several months, I’ve felt alone. It wasn’t that there aren’t people that care for me, because there are. It was because I was not able to get out because of my physical limitations. My health issues kept me inside.

Christine Miserandino wrote an article about the Spoon Theory that gave all of us with ‘hidden’ disabilities the way to explain our various abilities.

Because some health issues are invisible to others, we, whom suffer invisibly can feel very alone. Trying to explain why we have the want to, but we don’t have the can do becomes exhausting. After years of trying to explain this to others that offer platitudes, the health fad of the day, their uncle’s second cousin twice removed miraculous cure and so on, a person just tries to hide that part of them. It is easier to just pull back into oneself rather than exert the effort to engage another person, and waste the spoons that could otherwise make the day a bit more bearable.

Another analogy – the battery theory.

Christine wrote her theory article in 2003. It went “viral’ amongst those of us with chronic, hidden illnesses. It made a huge difference in the ability to communicate with non-spoonies. Yet, there is a serious problem with these illustrations.
“how many spoons do you have left today?”
“Yesterday, that took 2 spoons, why are you acting so tired today, doing the same thing?”

See, the spoon cost is not the same from day to day. The analogy breaks down when you try to make it a data stream, a statistic point, a menu of energy.

Yes, there are days that I decide that I will not take a shower, because often, that uses up so many of my spoons, that the next option is to go to bed. To prepare my house for Bible Study can be a joy, or a nightmare, depending on the spoon expenditure. That is never the same from one day to the next. I don’t always know how many spoons it will take. Sometimes, it can take a day for me to recover, because I had to borrow spoons from the next day. Don’t get me wrong! I absolutely LOVE having people over to my home, to share something to eat and drink, and to talk about Jesus! It’s not just stressful relationships that can suck the spoons out of me. Laughter, singing, hugging, talking and interacting with people I love to be around can drain me. I have to count the cost daily, so that I can perform my mission to the glory of God.

Be Like Jesus.
WHAT IN THE WORLD DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH HER WORD FOR THE YEAR?

Mark 6:31
And He said to them, “Come with Me privately to a solitary place, and let us rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

Jesus and the disciples were exhausted.
John had been martyred.
The disciples had been sent out on their first missionary trip(hmmm, what did Jesus do while they were out doing the work of the Kingdom? was he resting in the Father?).
Jesus said, come with me…let us rest.

Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Jesus promises us rest…but often, we forget the second part.
The YOKE.
The BURDEN.
Yes, it is easy and light.
Yes, he is gently and lowly, and will give us rest for our souls.
The reason he says this is that we are wearing a YOKE – we are workers in the KINGDOM – and our souls get weary doing the work.
And HE provides us rest, when we come to HIM.

Psalm 23 – The Lord is MY Shepherd – and sometimes, we have to be led to still water.
Sometimes, we have to be MADE to lie down in GREEN PASTURES so that HE can restore our souls!

I’ve felt broken.
I’ve felt less than.
In fact, because of my limitations, I’ve felt like the unprofitable servant(Matthew 25:14-30) …hiding my talents because I cannot go out and invest it, or buy and sell, or whatever.
I feel slothful, and, sometimes, I feel wicked.
I feel lazy.

Actually, while yes I do feel broken and less than, and I grieve because of the things I cannot do, the reality of feeling slothful, wicked and lazy is that I project that onto what I think others think of me.

Jesus wasn’t born in 2000, with computers, and cable, internet social media to share the gospel. He didn’t come when he could fly around in a jet, and speak to thousands in large coliseums. Did he know what Y2K would provide in the way of spreading the gospel? Of course He did. Still he came, in something BC, and walked from place to place, speaking without a microphone, trusting that His disciples would share what he said with integrity.

Creator God came in the form of a baby – a helpless, dependent baby – to save the world.
Born alone, in a stable, because there was no room for his family in the Inn.
Homeless.
Branded illegitimate.
The Bible says that he had to grow in wisdom…

ETERNAL GOD was disabled by being limited to THE FINITE.
Jesus even said that he had to ask the Father’s guidance, that while here on earth, He didn’t know the hour or the day of things to come.

How do I be like Jesus, when I am limted by the finite of my chronic illnesses?

Recognizing my limitations!
If the son of God needed time apart to recover, then surely I do.
If those walking side-by-side with Jesus needed time apart to rest, then surely I do!
Of course, when the earth was created, on the seventh day REST was created.
Rest was created FOR US, and yet, it says in Genesis 2:

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

God set this up, as an example to us. He told Moses, on Mount Sinai:

Exodus 20:
8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work,
10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.
11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

How does this tell me to be like Jesus? REST
1. Recognize my limitations. I am finite. I am NOT GOD-Man!
2. Embrace the YOKE of HIS calling, not MY want to. Make sure I’m doing the Father’s will.
3. Remember that REST is a holy gift from my Father God. It honors God for me to rest.

Then, there is my attitude about myself – accepting that I was fearfully and wonderfully made – wrinkles, warts, scabs and scars. Can I do anything about these limitations? Some, yes. Other’s no.
It’s my responsibility to to whatever the Lord puts into my hand to do, and to do it to the best of my ability, unto HIS glory.
My body is the temple of the Holy Ghost – and I should treat it like a temple. I don’t mean to worship my own body. I do mean, I need to determine the clean and unclean things that I do to my body. Again, clarification – I am not saying that I’m going around living in sin, and performing all manner of wickedness.

Many years ago – when I was just a young girl, my mom shared a story with me about our minister’s wife at a woman’s bible study. People were asking for prayer to help them overcome things that were causing them to stumble. Goldie Marshall asked for prayer to avoid chocolate. I don’t know what her issue was, but what I do remember is how that impacted my mom.

“She is so dedicated to the Lord that she even would give up chocolate to be more like Him”

My body suffers from some of the things I eat.
My body suffers from lack of movement, because of the consequences of some of the things I eat.
I cannot exercise as much as would be good for my body, because of choices I have made that have caused more co-morbidities to my health issues.
I have not cared for the temple.
The walls are torn down, or fallen down.
While I cannot change the specific illnesses in many ways, I can make choices to mitigate their effects.
Case in point – DM2.
With the help of my service dog, and learning to listen, I no longer have a diagnosis of DM2. It’s been downgraded(upgraded?) to Impaired fasting glucose.
Now, what if I’d been even more determined about my eating? Maybe the IFG would be gone. The weight would be gone, and the issues that being overweight causes. Maybe, I’d be more energetic, and more capable to do the tasks God has for me.

Is this like hiding my talent? For me – yes.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

This chapter talks about building…wood, hay and stubble, or gold silver and precious stone. In the end, I am going to be judged by the materials I used to build this temple.

Jesus made sure that his followers were fed, both spiritually and physically. God miraculously fed the Israelites in the desert. Elijah was fed by ravens. Peter was told to eat what God laid before him. I’m not talking about the levitical legalistic dietary laws. I’m talking about God providing food for His children. I’ve often been taught, and have taught about the need for spiritual food, and how often.
Hunger and thirst after righteousness, and you shall be filled!
Avoid the leaven of the Pharisees.

Too often, I have not applied that to my physical body.

Proverbs 23:1-3
1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
observe carefully what[a] is before you,
2 and put a knife to your throat
if you are given to appetite.
3 Do not desire his delicacies,
for they are deceptive food.

empty calories
toxic drinks (thinking about diet soda…just to be clear!)
foods that cause inflammation, pain, migraines, and congestion.
POISON
in the temple of the Holy Spirit!
UNCLEAN!

How does this tell me to be like Jesus? FUEL
1. wash my body with clean water, like I wash my spirit with clean water of the Word.
2. Feed my body the best nutrition possible. This body was created to heal itself, if only it is given the proper fuel.
3. Movement. I’m not exactly certain how this fits, I just know it does. Follow the Shepherd. Walk as Jesus walked.

I really did not expect this to be part of MY ONE WORD – Rest and fuel!
Now that the Lord has pointed it out to me, I can see how I have been an unprofitable servant, by not caring for the temple. I can see how I have hidden my talents by not giving my body the best opportunities to be at it’s best. I can see how I have abused my body by pushing it past it’s limitations, and not going to the Lord, and resting in Him. I can’t blame it all on the number of spoons I may have or may not have, though it is my responsibility to make sure that all of my spoons are ready to be used when the Lord calls!

Am I really all alone?
When I am not able to fellowship with other believers, whose fault is it, if I have worn myself out doing other than?
I’m never alone, because of Jesus.
The aloneness I have suffered with lately, is the result of my choices that have exacerbated my limitations and prevented me from fellowshipping with believers face-to-face.
That’s another thing that I need to recognize is part of being like Jesus.
He CHOSE to come down here to be with US!
One of the things for which to save up spoons is fellowship.

Fellowship is very important.

Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Matthew 18:20
20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

James 5:14-16
14 Is any sick among you? 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 shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

I must be part of the BODY of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Pretty clear.
1. Rest
2. Fuel
3. Fellowship

It is up to me how I apply my spoons.
I can waste them.
I can hoard them.
Or I can treat them as precious gold to be spent for the Kingdom of God, and invest them wisely so that I can bear much fruit and glorify my Father Who is in Heaven.

Spoons come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes I need a ladle, sometimes a slotted spoon to take things with discernment. Sometimes, all I have is a 1/4 tsp.
The key is – what do I do with it?
And do I hole up in my home, and cry “I’m so alone”, or do I ask for help when my spoons are gone?

As for the aloneness – Jesus felt very alone in the garden, when all of His friends fell asleep. He chose to go to the Father, and then, finish the work that He’d begun.

Is my alone-ness actually me being alone?
Or me choosing to be alone?
Some of both.
My responsibility is to be like Jesus, and give grace when it’s from others, and give myself a reality check when it’s because of my choices.
Accept my limitations,
rest as needed,
fuel for the fire, and
fellowship in and with Christ.

I never thought of these as being like Jesus.
What do YOU think about this?
Do you ever struggle with these areas?

I’m so glad that Jesus knows our form, that we are but dust, and that HE is the one that forms us, and works in us and completes us to the Glory of God! Amen!

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.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Philippians 1:18-21

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!)

Philippians 1

To catch up, the links are at the end of the blog, or all the Itty Bitty Bible Studies are listed on this page.

Philippians 1:18b – 26
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

First, focus on what Paul is saying here:

Yes, and I will rejoice,
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,

This sounds very familiar!!!!!
Maybe because Paul wrote ROMANS!!!

He’s in Jail.
He’s chained to a guard. Or possibly on house arrest.
Blue Letter Bible provides a very nice Timeline of Paul’s Life and Ministry
He’s had so many things happen to him…and he’s still looking at these things from the point of view that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to HIS purposes! Romans 8:28
The whole chapter of Romans 8 could be written, and summarized in this thought…that no matter how badly things look, we can know that it is bringing about OUR salvation. Not in the sense that we get saved again and again, but more in the sense that we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, that this is a walk, a journey, and the fullness of Christ is to be worked out in us.

In Philippians 1:12 he is pointing out to everyone that is concerned that this is all for the furtherance of the gospel! This is his first and foremost concern.
In Philippians 4, we’ll hear about how it’s not about him having his needs met.
It’s to comfort those that are concerned, and to speak of HIS confidence in Christ.

I started that part with verse 18b – and yes, I will rejoice!
It reminds me of the letter that James wrote:

James 1:2-4
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James knew Paul, Paul knew James – James was the head of the church at Jerusalem. Bible Odyssey goes into much more detail.
It makes sense that James and Paul were thinking alike!

I wrote about the Oil of Joy

To understand a little bit more of verse 20, we have to read it with verse 19.

Phil 1:19-20
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

I will not be at all ashamed,
but that with full courage now
as always
Christ will be honored
in my body,
whether by life
or by death.

He’s not talking about him being ashamed of the gospel. To confirm this, read

Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

He’s talking about being ashamed of himself – because his first love is Christ Jesus, and he wants to glorify Him in all that he does, whether by living, or by dying.

Philippians 1:21English Standard Version (ESV)
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

And, with that, we will stop here. There’s too much to consider with the next 5 verses!
I pray that this will bless you.

Have you ever had to choose joy in the face of a “prison” surrounding you?

Have you every been “trapped” because of your faith?

Have you ever been concerned about YOUR behavior – ashamed of Your behavior as an ambassador of Christ?

Do you know that we have an advocate with the Father?

1 John 2:1-2
2:1 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.

Please share your thoughts with me in comments!

It is Well With My Soul
Worship Video
and
Chris Rice with a beautiful video

One of my rivers:

Philippians Itty Bitty Bible Study

Midnight Musings – What did you see? 1-10-2018

Often, I am given things in the middle of the night. Most of the time, I just lie there and beg to go back to sleep! Recently, I’ve been convicted to share these ramblings, and I’ve had some encouraging responses. So – here goes obedience! ~Christi

This is day 10/of 100
And this fits into my One Word Phrase – Be Like JESUS

What do you see
When you see me?
What do I do that
Sets your heart free?

Why do you share
Your hurts, pains, and joys
Your deepest regrets,
Your favorite toys?

Why do you speak to me
As if I’m your friend
As if I’ve known you
World without end

I’m only a person
That speaks from my heart
Does that help you open
Does that help you start

To share from your heart
And to share from your life
All you joys and your triumphs,
Your struggles and strife?

Why do you talk to me
As if I’m a friend
When we’ve never met before
And our time will now end.

Is it the safety of
not seeing me again?
Is it the freedom of
Anonymity for the win?

I don’t have the answers,
But I do have a heart
I will listen and share
And I’ll do my part.

You are human,
And lovely, with special worth
You are the only you
That is here on the earth.

I know that you need love
I know that you care
Your job is your passion,
Your life is your prayer.
Because I am open,
You feel free to share,

I used to think it was
Gabriel my dog
That enabled me to talk
Not get lost in the fog

But Gabriel is gone now,
And I’m now all alone,
But still people talk to me
By speech, text and phone.

I have no answers,
But I do know the One
That will listen with wisdom,
And He gave up His son.

It’s the only answer
I have for my trials,
And I know that he’s keeping
My tears in pure vials.

I want to show Jesus,
To all that I meet,
I want to spread love, joy,
And mercy and peace.

I don’t always feel it
I often will fail
Especially to those
Who know me so well.

But those that just met me
And open their hearts,
And tell me their stories,
Explain their life’s charts.

I don’t know why
I don’t know how come
But I do know I have to
Listen until done.

We are the hands, feet and tears
Of Jesus the king,
Aren’t we his ears,
And his tongue – so to sing?

To sing of his praises
To sing of his love
To share with others
The gifts from above.

He puts me in places
I don’t want to be
And there is a person
That needs to be free.

Sometimes, it’s just chatter
Sometimes, it’s their grief
Sometimes, it’s their need
To have someone believe

Someone that listens,
And gives them the boost
To know what their heart needs,
To know what to choose.

I’m not very good at it,
But God disagrees
Because he keeps bringing
The broken to me.

The hurting, the tired,
The ones that may scream,
The joyful, the funny,
That share me their dream.

I don’t know my purpose
I don’t know my cause
I do know my Savior
And I love him because

He loved me before
I had something to love
And because of His love,
I’ll share with the ones

The ones he brings to me,
The ones that I meet
The ones that my heart sees
And connected are we.

It’s not our religion
It’s not of our creed
It’s because of the love
That sets us both free.

No judgement, No hatred
No critical crap
Just love and respect,
We know there’s no trap.

What we say, we respct
What we feel, we empower
And if it will last,
With love, we will shower.

Friends come and go,
Some stay with forever
But friends become friends
When we learn how to share.

I hope what I have
Is the light that does shine,
The salt that does season,
And the love so divine.

No I’m not Jesus –
Not in the flesh,
But I try to be like him,
I do try my best.

Your stories are safe
Within my heart wall
I won’t share them, blare them,
Or use them at all.

Jesus is
a tower of strength,
The righteous run
to Him and are safe.

So to be like Jesus,
I must not share
But hold your stories,
With the greatest of care.

But how do you know
When we’ve only just met
Is it Jesus you feel?
Is it God’s love that is set?

I didn’t say Jesus,
No shirt did declare,
How did you know
In my heart was a prayer?

A prayer that each day,
I could make someone smile,
And let them know Jesus
Can make life worthwhile.

That peace is an option,
That grace is a given,
That forgiveness is chosen,
And Love comes from heaven.

Yes there’s a price,
But one must know the wares
Eternal with Jesus,
And support for my cares.

The price it is worth it,
The cost oh so high,
But to have Lord Jesus
Beside me and nigh

Is worth my whole life
It is worth my whole being,
And because of His help,
‘Neath His shadow I sing.

I hope you see Jesus in me.
© MCWildman 2018

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.

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.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion

Midnight Musings – How Long, Jesus? – Jan 7-8, 2018

This is day 6 of 100 in 2018
and this fits into my one word(phrase) be like Jesus.

How Long, Jesus?

I just want to quit,
I’m so tired of the pain,
I’m tired of the questions,
I’m tired of the shame.

YOU said to be saved
One must endure to the end,
That’s not what the banners
All say, “let’s be friends!”

Jesus will heal
Jesus will give
Jesus will bless
You with good things to live.

But what about pain?
What about doubt?
What about those
That never make it out

Out of the darkness
Of mental dispair
Out of the treatments
Or with nothing to wear?

What about those that
Never see “good”
And struggle and grab
For each morsle of food?

What about those
That pray underground?
Or those that have
Financially drowned?

Some wait for the miracle,
But the miracle does not come.
Is this the end we endure?
That we get to go home?

I know YOU aren’t Santa,
Or even welfare!
I know you are focused
On getting me where…

Where I can see
Your hand when I look,
When I can hear
Your voice when you’ve spoke.

I just want to sleep,
But my legs won’t relax
My arms want to twitch,
And my skins feels like tacks.

I know there’s an enemy,
And he’s out to destroy,
Whatever good YOU create
In my life, it’s his ploy.

I know he has to ask You
For whatever he plans,
And there’s nothing he can do,
Except it comes from your hands.

There are so many concerns,
So many deep longings,
So many heart cries,
But time keeps on rolling.

Rolling along,
Toward whatever the end,
And that’s when I’ll see
Jesus, My Friend.

YOU stand by my side,
When I whine and complain,
YOU sit near my seat,
When I can’t move from the pain.

I know in my heart,
That you would if you would…
Heal me, and free me
So that I could do good.

The issue isn’t the can
But the will,
But I’m tired of hearing,
Peace, child, be still.

You’ve given so much,
No one can compare,
To the blessings around me,
And my soul, you did spare.

I’m tired, dear Jesus,
I just want to rest,
Can you lesson this pain,
From off of my chest?

Can you tell my legs CEASE
Be STill, and at rest,
Can you tell my head,
Stop fearing the test.

What test? You might ask,
For the Christian to pass?
Yes, but it’s easy,
Because he IS the class.

There is a test
For all to take,
And it’s about Jesus
Our Lord to make.

If we choose Him,
And allow the Spirit
To be our guide to make
Us for heaven – fit.

HE says COME
HE says LOVE
HE says GRACE
Coming from above.

No matter how tired
No matter how hurt
To HIM I will offer
All of my heart.

JOB is my hero
In the midst of his trials
He cried out to God
And his tears could fill vials

Yes he complained
HE argued His case
And God reprimanded
And got in his face.

The end result
Was Job fell contrite
I’ll shut up,
You, LORD, are right!

My God is not small,
He can handle my why’s
He loves me enough
To listen to my cries.

He always wins,
Because I always give in
Sometimes it’s the hard way
Because I do sin.

He guides me, And leads me
Along my life’s way
To finish the work
Prepared for His day.

I love Him, I need Him
To reign in my heart.
So that I am empowered
To yeild to my part

My part in this grand plan,
This eternal choice
To connect with His people
And give HIM a voice.

And it’s His voice I cherish,
His voice I crave
His voice that has saved me
From a suicidal grave.

Yesterday, today
And forever the same
My God loves me always,
I am safe in His NAME.

So whether I’m tired,
depressed or in pain,
He loves me, and holds me
And whispers my name.

I love you, dear Christi,
And I came for your heart,
I know that you’re hurting,
I’ll do my part.

To hold you, and love you,
And pour out mercy and grace,
I will prepare you,
To see me by face.

My glory you’ll share,
As we reign and we rule,
Because you endured
Life’s rocky, tough school.

You’ll hear my voice say
Well done, my dear girl,
And we finish this journey,
Together and sure.

You see, I won’t leave you,
No matter your words,
I want you to know that
Your pain has been heard.

My reasons are mine,
My purposes sure,
To grow you in goodness,
And make your heart pure.

Sometimes the fire,
Gets painful with heat,
But you’ve asked to be seated
At my holy feet.

You will come out holy,
You will come out pure,
As seven times silver
Is refined to be sure.

Your face will reflect mine,
You light it will sihine,
As my love in you,
Is completely refined.

I love you dear daughter,
I won’t leave you alone,
My plans, they are good,
To bring you to HOME.

Thank you, Dear Jesus,
For letting me see,
Again, of your favor,
To meet all my needs.

I love you, dear Jesus,
I ask you to stay,
Close by me forever,
And keep me I pray.

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And fate us for heaven
To live with Thee there.

Amen.
© 2018 MCWildman

Credit to Martin Luther for the lyrics to Away in the Manger

Home Free – Away in the Manger

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.

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.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion

Throwback Thursday – from 2001

This is such an old blog, I recognize the original html(what we used to have to do to produce blogs!…not quite writing in binary, but close!)

So, as I read it, I noticed the date.

Received July 13 & 14, 2001 This was given to me, in the spirit of prophecy over two days. On July 16, I searched through scriptures, as a Berean, to prove the spirit.

two months later, September 11, 2001, or as we refer to it – 9/11.
I believe it’s just as important to hear now, as then.

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

Received July 13 & 14, 2001 This was given to me, in the spirit of prophecy over two days. On July 16, I searched through scriptures, as a Berean, to prove the spirit.

This is the word. A Bible study is also available. (Bible verses are after the poem – )

What do you think about when I say “Mother”?

What do you think about when I say “Father”?

Do you see their face?

Do you hear their voice?

Does a warm feeling come over your heart?

Do you know their name?

BUT do you KNOW ME?

I long to be a Father to the fatherless,

I long to hold you in my arms.

My little children…

What do you think of when someone says “Our Father”?

Do you see My face?

Do you know My name?

I AM.

I AM the Our Father.

I AM the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

I AM worthy of praise, glory and Honor.

I AM.

I AM the judge of all the earth

I AM creator of the new birth.

I judge sin,

but in Me, my children win.

I AM

I AM the Our Father

I AM forever more

I AM the Almighty

I AM the open door

Do you see my face,

full of grace?

Do you hear My voice

in your ears? It’s a choice.

My little children

I have called you by my name,

do you know it?

I have spoken to you by my voice,

do you hear it?

There is no reason to fear,

when you nestled up to Me,

and near.

If you know My name,

and you hold My hand,

nothing can hurt you,

nothing, not a hand.

My little children,

you’re my sheep if you know my name,

I AM a shepherd, I have nothing but gain.

You are my sheep, If you know my voice,

all you must do is follow Me by choice.

My little children,

My name is mighty

in My name you are saved.

By the name of Jesus

you are delivered from sin,

and by the name of Jesus you can enter in

you can enter in to the name of sanctification

by the name of Jesus you can

enter into my glorification.

In the name of Jesus

you will be healed.

In the name of Jesus

and the Holy Spirit power

you will be sealed.

My little children

take off the names of darkness

put them far, far away,

and put up tall the name of Light

and you’ll never even sway!

For My name is a strong tower

by My name you are safe

by My name I give you peace and righteousness

by My name

by My name you can enter in to the holy place

Take My name

of Peace, Counselor, Savior, Friend,

and see Me as the tower that the righteous run in.

When the enemy brings his banners up high,

turn and look, for your deliverance draws nigh!

When my children turn and draw near to my name,

they will hear Me whisper and call them by name.

As you run into my tower and name,

you enter in to the presence of the King.

In my throne room no evil shall stand,

nothing can hurt you,

no nothing can stand.

If you will dwell in My secret place,

I will cover you and you’ll see my face.

All the things that attack you will fade,

and you, My child, will rest in My grace.

If you come in to My presence, My dear,

I and My Son, and the Spirit draw near.

And We will surround you will a circle of love

with glory untold, pouring out from above.

If in Me you will live, and move and have your being,

you will never know doubt

and you will definitely be seeing:

you will see Me as God that delivers his children

you will see Me as Father that loves all his sons

you will see Me as comforter who cares for the wounded

you will see Me as God as I care for my lost.

There’s a way to stand against the coming destruction,

the enemy at hand has forces untold,

but I in my power have won before creation,

and I AM more powerful than one can behold.

If you run to My name,

in My fortress you’ll be safe,

and you will be covered

by My blood and My infinite grace.

But do you know Me?

Do you know Me?

Like your mother and father?

Do you hear My voice

like your sister and brother?

Do you know Me so well

that no other can pull you?

My child, you need but to listen

for I’m speaking to you.

My voice is a still, gentle breeze,

it’s like a river that trickles under the trees.

My voice is like sunshine coming down from above

with a cool gentle breeze covering you with love.

Do you know that voice,

Oh little child of mine?

Oh little child –

the voice of the divine?

If you don’t hear My voice,

If you don’t know My name,

how will you know when I come again?

How will you know

when I let out a shout?

How will you know that it’s Me it’s about?

If you don’t know My name,

how can you find Me?

If you don’t know My name

how can you call Me?

If you can hear My voice,

how can you listen?

My little children it’s a choice,

and time is now to begin.

Early I await you, for the times you come to Me,

In the still of evening, I await, just to see.

I have much to share with you,

about your life and future.

I would speak to you and comfort you

and hold you, and give you nurture.

I would that you would crawl on my lap like a mother

and put your head on my chest, and love Me as no other.

But My children

you first must seek my face,

and then you must know my immeasurable grace,

and then you are sheep, you are sheep in deed,

and my voice will speak, clear and free.

Then I ask you, have you said “no?”

When I have talked to you, did you say no?

When I AM waiting, have you told Me to go?

When I have given direction, have you said, NO?

My word is written,

is true and it’s strong.

I will not counter My word

not at all.

If you cannot see My face in the glass,

and you cannot hear My voice as pages pass,

then are you really seeking Me?

Or do you have some other ‘destiny’?

My sheep know My voice,

and they follow Me

they learn by the milk that is spoken of Me

the meat of My word comes from spirit to spirit

do you see it? Do you see Me?

Do you desire to be in it?

When a child has a parent that is far, far away,

the parent writes love letters every day.

The child may not know what the parent is like,

except that they read the letter each night.

When that parent calls on the phone

the child knows the voice, and that voice all alone.

But when the day comes, when they meet face to face,

the child knows the parent across all time and space.

For the child has spent time with the words that were written

and the child, on the phone, has completely been listening.

I have a word that has been written for you

I have a phone line that’s open, too!

I will speak to you

in My word, and in prayer

if you ‘ll only turn your heart

and come listen to Me there.

My name is a tower.

The strong can come in,

the strong who are mighty and free from all sin.

In My name you are holy,

in My name, you are whole,

in My name you have peace,

in My name you shall go!

I have not left you alone to despair,

you have My love, and My name, and My care.

I prepared a way for you to go,

it is up to you to say yes or say no.

If you seek Me, you will find Me, I AM there

I will show myself to you

and I will take up every care.

There is nothing to fear

when you are wrapped up in Me,

I care for my own

and nothing can take them from Me.

Do not fear for the coming destruction,

for the shepherd will hold

his sheep in his hand

and bring them in to divine protection.

But you must know Me,

recognize my name.

You must seek Me

only Me,

my voice,

and my name.

In Me you will find all the answers you need.

in Me you will have everything, just believe.

It may not look pretty,

It’s not of this world,

for I’m away to prepare a place

that is out of this world!

This here is but shadows and smoke

this here is just like a cloak.

For sin entered in, the world has been dying

nothing here is glorifying!

But I’ve prepared a place for my children

who know my voice and my name

and choose to enter in.

Mica 4:1- 5 (KJV) But in the last days it shall come to pass, [that] the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make [them] afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken [it].

5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.

Joel 2:32 (KJV)And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Psal 91:14 (KJV) Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

Acts 2:21 (KJV) And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 4:12 (KJV) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Rom 10:13 (KJV) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Phil 2:10 (KJV) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; (Rom 14:11)

***

Acts 3:16 (KJV) And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Prov 18:10 (KJV) The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Colo 3:17 (KJV) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

2The 1:12 (KJV) That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Cor 6:11 (KJV) And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Isai 50:10 (KJV) Who [is] among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh [in] darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

Exod 20:7 (KJV) Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Psal 20:6 (KJV) Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

7 Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

Ps 116

Psal 116:4 (KJV) Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

Psal 116:13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

Psal 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

Psal 124:8 (KJV) Our help [is] in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Psal 113:1 (KJV) Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.

2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.

3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name [is] to be praised.

4 The LORD [is] high above all nations, [and] his glory above the heavens.

5 Who [is] like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,

6 Who humbleth [himself] to behold [the things that are] in heaven, and in the earth!

7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

8 That he may set [him] with princes, [even] with the princes of his people.

9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, [and to be] a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

May God be glorified through this writing. ~Christi

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This was convicting to me, again…16 years later.

Here’s a link to my OLD website…but, if you think you are a Christian, but you have some concerns…this can help you figure it out! So You think you’re gonna be OK?

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.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, follow me on Pinterest, or other social media!
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 is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion

What’s my word for 2018? Hmmmmm

So this weekend all the Christian leaders at our church were sharing their words for the year.

Last year, I wrote a bit about my words…Number My Days. The tag words are my one word and One Little Word in the tag cloud on the right column of my blogs.

This year – I seem to have been given a gloomy one…THE TIME IS SHORT – or – THE END IS NEAR.
I feel like

I’ve done street witnessing, beach witnessing, mall witnessing…life witnessing…but never placard or these sign type witnessing…and, I don’t really agree with it…so, What on earth is God talking about?

But, there is a concept:

2 Timothy 3King James Version (KJV)
3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Now, to do a complete discussion on the end times, I’m going to leave it to this person…from Safe3 Harbor with his post on end times – the end is near..

My blog is about what this means to me.
When I turned 50 – I had a huge celebration…My golden Birthday party.

When I woke up one year later – at 51, I felt hit in the stomach.
one year past the halfway mark of 100.
What have I done with my life?
I started focusing on the Giants in My Land.

But what was really on my mind was the 50+1.
This year, I turned 50+7
When I was 16 – I was sure Jesus was going to return in 1980.
When I got married in 1980, my husband and I thought that we’d never see 1988… from the idea that 40 years was a generation…1948, Israel was declared a nation again.
When that didn’t happen – we moved the date out from 1967 – the 6 days war when Jerusalem was retaken…plus 40 years…2007.
In 2007, we bought a house, met our first grandson…and the Lord Jesus did not return.
The world continued to go crazy.
And, we considered that there is biblical reason to consider a generation up to 100 years from the generational discussions in the old testament. that brings the date options from 1948 – and 1967…out to 2048 to 2067.
And there’s the biblical statement that we are given 70+2 years….from 1948, that would be 2020.
Not too far from 2018.

When Jesus talked about it in Matthew 24:36, he said this:
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

over and over in Matthew 24 and 25, Jesus says WATCH THEREFORE!
It could be WATCH THEREFORE! I don’t know….

So, do I think this is about Jesus coming in 2018?
NOPE!
What do I think this is about?
Last year was Psalm 92:12
12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

I wrote about it…#mydays
2016 was prepare…and I wrote about my reflections looking back.

There are so many ways that “the end is near” could be taken.
Yes, my first thought went to the end of the world!
Entering into the Millenial Reign with Jesus – who wouldn’t want that? Well, if you are a follower and a citizen of HIS Kingdom, anyway.
But, I have had a scripture verse that I have been leaning on for …well, since I fell in Navy boot camp in 1978 and went paralyzed:

Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

I’ve spent years misunderstanding what this promise is about, to me…and this year begins with failed SI join injection, more pain in my legs, hips, knees, back, and even the arms are now being affected.
Maybe this “the end is near” is an encouragement to keep believing…or, do I go sign up with the VA? Not the point of this blog…but, something that could be part of this “the time is short” “the end is near” phrase.

My husband is battling with cancer…prostate the last two years, that is no longer evidenced in his body, but symptoms with his lymph glands, indication Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. May the end is near and we find that he has no cancer!

The down side could be, like God said to Hezekiah…get your house in order…the end is near.
Maybe it’s just that God is tired of waiting for me to write that book(those books) and bible studies that I keep bowing to fear about.
Maybe it’s just that I need to focus on the MOST important things…not the distraction.

One thing I know…I’m going to be checking out this lady’s blog…I was just looking at calendars and journals for 2018 last night! And she has this all set up!
Please check out My beautiful Ugly 2018 planner and love challenge blog.

I’m going to be focusing on the important things to focus upon:

Prayer
Praise
Promises (Bible READING)
Purpose (writing)
Priorities(those things that God brings to mind each day – family, self care, others, etc.)

That happens to be the first item on her calendar…write down five goals for this year.

I have promises that have been made, to God, to my husband, to my children…and then to others…that have not been fulfilled. The end is near.
I have health issues that are slowing me down, and I tend to give up and wait to get better. The time is short.
I have people that I want to focus prayer upon, and I have not organized myself to do such well. The end is near.
I have grandchildren to interact with – and it only takes a week for them to change tremendously. The Time is short.
I have children I have sponsored that could be written monthly, but, I put it off until it’s been months. The end is near.

50+7
70+2
72-57 = 15

According to the Bible – unless there are other plans by God – I am given only 15 more years.
Truly, the time is short.

This song is running through my head:
Here’s the Lyrics to Phil Keagy’s Rejoice

This was current while my husband and I were Jesus Freaks in the 70’s….

And the movies…

A Thief in the Night
A Distant Thunder
Image of the Beast

The Apostle Paul preached that the end was near….
And, if it was near for him…it is much nearer for us.
I do believe that Jesus will return.
I believe it will be in my lifetime.
And because of that…the work of the Kingdom is urgent, more urgent today, than in 2010. 1980, 1948, or 40AD.

I don’t know how to put my focus into a word…other than JESUS.
TIME?
URGENCY?

I don’t know…I just know that I am to be a workman in the kingdom…and no matter what ‘the end is near’ or ‘the time is short’ means, specifically – it means GET TO WORK for me.

Hmmmm, not very catchy…but maybe that is it!

Colossians 3:23-24
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

The (In)Courage blog and facebook posts have kept me focused in the last parts of 2017 – and finished out my 2017 with a verse that helped me to focus….

Ezekiel 36:25-27English Standard Version (ESV)
25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.[a]

New Year by (In)Courage

So, no matter how God explains my focus for this year…I have found some women to help me to focus.
I have a Bible that will lead and guide me.
I have a Holy Spirit that resides inside me.
I have the blood of Jesus that cleanses me.
I have the creator Father that listens to me.
I have a husband and family that love me.
I have a church that will feed me.
For 2018, I have all I need!

I know the end of the story….

Revelation 21:5English Standard Version (ESV)
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

But – today is the beginning of the rest of my life…This is the Day that the Lord has made – I will rejoice and be glad in it!

I’ve featured this image, from BibleQuotes

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.

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

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion