Tag Archives: Grace

The First 100 days – day 5

I awoke this morning to a call from our daughter in Germany, to see our grandson awake.  I got to hear his coos, gurgles and squeaks, and he even listened to my voice.

It was wonderful to get to see him. And his mommy is looking so good, 5 weeks after having a baby.

It’s been rough having a new grandbaby in Germany, and not being able to be there for my daughter while she went through pregnancy, birth, and now new mothering.

When Jacob saw Joseph, after years of thinking he was dead, he almost passed out. (Gen 45:26)

It was rough for Jacob to handle the first child of his most beloved bride Rachel, was dead(Gen 44:27-31).  I think he had an idea that the other’s did something(Gen 42:4), but the depression affected the rest of his life.

Joseph was made a slave, then a prisoner…because his brothers didn’t like the dreams God had given Joseph.  Maybe Joseph was a bit arrogant – but the boys had other reasons to hate him – he was dad’s favorite!

When Jacob dies, all the other boys come to Joseph and basically, kiss up. Then Joseph lives out what he’s learned over the however many years as a slave in a foreign land: Gen 50:19-21

19: And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for [am] I in the place of God?

Well, yes, actually, he was, sort of. He was the ruler of all of Egypt, and he had all sorts of power.  BUT he knew who he was…and now, he is humble.

20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive.

The things that were done to Joseph were horrible.  Reuben said he’d cried out to his brothers to save him as they handed him over to the Ishmeelites.  We know what happens in prisons to young men now, and I’m sure there was a lot of fear.  But,

  • IF the boys had not thrown him in the pit
  • IF the boys had not sold him to the Ismeelites
  • IF Potipher’s wife had not accused him
  • IF the baker and cupholder hadn’t forgotten for two years
  • THEN Joseph would not have been there to save Jacob’s line!

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

.WE KNOW..why? because of Joseph, because of Abraham, because of Isaac, because of Jonah, because of Nehemiah and Esther and Ruth!  WE KNOW because we have their stories.  They didn’t have the Bible to read…they only had faith to trust in God. WE HAVE THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD! We are without excuse!

Joseph had changed.  He had learned to humble himself.  He had learned to forgive.  And the fruit of that forgiveness is displayed in what he did next:

Gen 50:21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

I have struggled with God not allowing me to go to Germany to be with my daughter.  I have been angry with God for not healing me so that I could travel – to Germany, or to Ethiopia for a mission trip. I have been grumpy.

  • I am not a slave.
  • I am not a prisoner.
  • I am not abused or mistreated.
  • I may be struggling with a spiritual famine!

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Matthew 6:14 – 15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Joseph is the perfect example of forgiveness, yes.  But he is also the perfect example of getting a right attitude, by looking at circumstances through God’s eyes.

Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Joseph is considered a type of Christ, and his forgiveness of his brothers is so extreme…it reflects the extreme forgiveness that Christ gives all of us – WHILE WE ARE YET SINNERS!

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

And the great thing that Christ has done, is

2Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 2:9-10 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

It’s by HIS mercy, that HE orchestrates our lives(the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord), to complete the work He began in us.  And all we are to do is to let His light shine in us, and then in turn let that light shine from us to all we meet.

Joseph made a huge impact on his family. Because of Joseph, we have the story of God! Joseph was sacrificed, and then “raised up” to save the remnant of God.

Jesus was sacrificed, and raised up, to save those that choose to believe. He has made a HUGE impact on the family of God!

Forgiving myself, and letting go of my anger at God, accepting the plan He has for my life,  allows me to have joy in the skype visits with our grandson. Sacrificing my plans to yield to the Father’s plans, brings peace and contentment to my life. This will have a HUGE impact on my home life, and my mental health!

And I can then sleep in heavenly peace!

May the Lord bless you and Keep you and make His face to shine upon you and give you peace! Num6: 24-26

In His hands and under His wings, watching for His light in my life,

~Christi

100 days of movement – check

100 days of blogging – check

90 days of Bible reading – check(next is Exodus!)

50 days of T-Tapp – check

21 days of Fasting for Food – check

The First 100 days – day 3

Day 3.

  • Already lost the notes I wrote for Day 2.
  • morning time was filled with sleep, then rush to deliver the trailer
  • Jim and I have headaches from the lack of caffeine – based on the fasting for food.
  • the sunny day turned gray…
  • my ankle hurts more and more in the likelihood of tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • I can’t remember much about the techie things I now own

Phil 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

I really dislike that verse. But, I know that God put things in the Bible for a reason…like this verse:

2Tim3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Both of these verses end with an (:).  That means, there’s more to it. and both of the ‘more to it’ seem to point to the same thing:

2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Phil 2:15 – 16 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Jim and I have been called to focus on LIGHT this year. And these ‘silly’ scriptures make out murmuring and disputing as activities that would hamper our lights.

In Genesis, Esau complained, and lost his birthright.   Sarai complained about not having a baby, got Hagar mixed up in it, then got mad at Hagar, and complained having her get special favor with God, then brought her back, then after having her own son, complained that Hagar’s son was illegitimate (duh, whose idea was that?) and had them sent out…and guess what.  We have the Arab-Israeli conflict that is causing trouble all over the world.  All because Sarah complained!

We are doing the Fasting For Food program, to raise funds for Compassion, and really become aware of how much we complain about what really is ridiculous.

  • grumble – I can’t have pop – Tesfaye may not have water!
  • murmur – I can’t have meat – Rosa lives on grains
  • disputing – I have liberty in Christ! reality – many go hungry, thirsty, cold because they have nothing.

Paul said: Phil 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.

Timothy said: 1 Tim 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

The writer of Hebrews said: Heb 13:5 [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

And Jesus said: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof. Matt 6:33-34

If I am content, seeking first the Kingdom, trying to walk in the fruit of the Spirit (which doesn’t include murmuring OR disputing), then I am alright with God. The promises include:

  • may be perfect
  • thoroughly furnished unto all good works
  • blameless
  • harmless
  • sons of God
  • without rebuke
  • shining as lights in this dark world
  • holding forth the word of life.

All for not murmuring or disputing.  All for being content with what God has laid before me.  All for hearkening to His word!  Oh yeah – Deut 28 has some great lists for hearkening or not!  Great to read at the beginning of this year!

  1. 100 days of movement – I drove a truck with a trailer!
  2. 90 days of Bible – caught up!
  3. 21 days of Fasting for Food – today, in honor of Tesfaye

Thanks for listening!

In His hands and under His Wings,

~Christi

To sponsor me for Fasting for Food, go to FirstGiving and follow the links! Thank you!

The First 100 days – day 2

Already, I’m delusional. I am sure I wrote this somewhere, and I cannot find it, so I am going to reproduce it today.

Day 2 of my Bible reading led me to Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD?

What could be more impossible than bringing life into and from the grave of an old woman’s womb?

  • God becoming man?
  • Raising Christ from the dead?
  • Forgiving the sins of perpetual sinners?

Isaac was a type of Christ.

But, to Sarah, God asks, is anything too hard for the Lord? and the answer was, a baby!

To Mary, talking about Elizabeth being pregnant, the angel says

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37 KJV/BLB

When Jesus was explaining what the choices were, what the expectations were about His followers, His disciples asked “who then can be saved?” and His answer was:

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Mark 10:27 KJV/BLB

There are a few other references to Impossible –

Hebrews 6:4 and 18, but my favorite is Heb 11:6:

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We are responsible to walk in faith – and that pleases God! But faith is impossible for us to have on our own…. Eph 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

Who gets this faith? everyone – Rom 12:3

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

A Promise out of a Rebuke: Matthew 17:20

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Therefore, we are responsible to some extent for our faith growth…and we even have that answer! Rom 10:17

So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

I am able to do anything when I am walking in faith… faith that has grown by hearing, and hearing the word of God.  It is first a gift, then it is my responsibility to nourish it and water it, and cause it to grow.  And in these last times, is there anything to difficult for God? And the only thing making things too difficult for me is my unbelief, so says Jesus.

May God find grace to pour out upon me, as I have laughed at things He has put before me.  I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me! Phil 4:13

Now on to day 3!

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

Have I lost my FREEDOM?

This is based on a conversation I was having online with some friends, based on how the first time we do something, we seem to be able to choose to say yes easier, and it’s harder once we slip.

One person asked, did we lose our freedom? Here’s my comments:

Theologically, we have not ‘lost’ our freedom, because Jesus said ‘it is finished’ when He completed the work on the cross.
Obviously we are not free from our flesh – because we are here, not in our resurrected bodies with Christ!

I am so thankful to be going through this with you all  because you all have a heart for the Lord based on the promises in His word.  YOU GET IT!

We can call gluttony what it is – sin. Put a knife to your throat rather than eat the King’s dainties.

Proverb 23 KJV/BLB

We can call procrastination what it is – laziness, go to the ant thou sluggard!
Proverb 6:6 KJV/BLB

We can encourage each other to get back up, brush yourself off, and start all over again (another ant theme).
High Hopes

I’ve read so many posts in the last few minutes, I don’t remember which one said ‘doing it on our own’ –
Ever notice how there is a gift of grace and mercy waiting when you first get angry at someone?  Well, for me it works this way.  I am given a choice – and it’s like I’m on a fence, and I could fall either way – one way into the fire of anger and hurt, and the other into the cushioned arms of the Lord.  But if I choose the Lord’s side, I don’t get to defend myself!  I don’t get to give them a piece of my mind!  It took years, yeeeaaarrrrrsssss, to get to that point in my walk, that before I sinned, I could see the choices.

This year, doing T-Tapp with ya’ll has made the choices more obvious for me.  Sit in the recliner(my ankle/foot/hip hurts) or get out the chair and the dvd and do something that might get something moving.
Or worse: sit on the recliner and watch stupid movies to distract my brain from the pain, rather than reading God’s word, listening to His music, and entering into His presence.  yeah, I’ve been a wimp…a wheelchair wimp – even when I haven’t been in the wheelchair!

The veil has been torn open.  We all see clearly what our sin/s is/are, and now we have a choice. Like the alcoholic has to choose, sometimes minute by minute…I choose life, not death; I choose health, not death; I choose breath, not death.

A dear friend wrote something on her FB status that goes like this:
“I’m living the next five minutes
like they were my last five minutes
’cause I know the next five minutes
may be all I have.
After the next five minutes
turn into the past five minutes
I’m taking the next five minutes
and starting all over again!”

What can you do with five minutes?

What excuse would you give for adultery?
What excuse would you give for stealing?
What excuse would you give for child abuse?
What excuse would you give for murder?

I have spent 20+ years making excuses for my health – and undermining God’s plan for my body.  I have been fighting God with my eating!!!

I have been fighting God with some of my personal issues.
I have been fighting God with my choices to not fall off the fence on His side.  While there is a scripture that says “if they’re not against me, they are for me” – there is another that says ” if they are not for me(or with me) they are against me.”

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Matthew 12:30 KJV/BLB

One was because those that had heard, but weren’t of the ‘organized’ followers were baptizing…and Jesus didn’t have a problem with it.

The other is Jesus speaking about being part of HIS flock, and being of His Spirit and lists those that are not with God as his enemies.

I do not want to be any where near a place that I could be called an enemy of God.  I want to stay WAY WAY away from that line!
I also don’t want to be one of the foolish virgins…not prepared, not able to wait because they ran out of oil(juice, fuel, energy).

This year, T-Tapp and diet are taking on a whole new spiritual dimension for me.
AND IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT!  YES YOU!!! (my dear T-Tapp Sisters)
Thank you –  for being with me, so that when I have fallen on the wrong side of the fence, ya’ll are there to remind me, 1John1:9 KJV/BLB – come on back up on the fence and try again.
We HAVE a high priest that is familiar with our weaknesses – AND He stands before the throne of God so that IF any of us sins, He is the propitiation of our sins.

God knew it all along – and from the supernatural prophetically fulfilled birth of the baby Godman, all the way to Calvary, and His resurrection – God had a plan.  And just like with the intricate detail in fulfilling every prophecy about Christ’s birth…he is fulfilling every intricate detail of our lives, as He had planned from before time began.  AND He has planned everything down to the tiniest detail, to fulfill the volume of the book!  Rom 8:28 is followed by some great verses!
God does not think we are failures.
God knows what HE has in store for us!
God has provided everything we need to be the glorious temples He intends, we just need to pray, believe, trust, and push past the flesh.

I just got a vision of Eustace, when he was a dragon, because of his greed(glutton is a lot like greed, right?).  He couldn’t cut the dragon flesh off, no matter how hard he tried.  But when he asked Aslan, Aslan slashed through the flesh, and helped him get it off.(Voyage of the Dawn Treader – read the book, I was disappointed in the movie – by Disney).

Anyway – I have a dragon suit of gluttony.  I have tried and tried to get it off of me.  I have tried to do it for Jim, for the kids, for Jesus, for me…and ‘I’ can’t do it.
I need to go humbly to the Lord, EVERY DAY if necessary, and ask Him to deliver me from this fleshly prison.

This is my focus for the next year.
I hope you will all be here with me on this journey.
I love you ladies so much!

~Christi

PS – 1/1/2011 –
In reading Genesis 12, I realized that God blessed Abram BEFORE Abram told Sarai to lie to the Pharoah, and started the whole deception, fleshly attempts for protection and procreation.  God blessed Abram, even though he messed up!

CONVICTION!!!

I am so convicted about not being consistent…I am doing this to get God’s temple in shape…and I keep feeding my flesh instead of feeding my soul.

I don’t finish Bible Studies.
I don’t finish projects.
I don’t finish challenges.
I don’t continue in the good things that I know to do.
I just wallow in the darkness, when I know I can get up and walk in the light!

I am repenting – turning as best I can, and praying for God to help me to endure to the end, mentally, physically and spiritually.  And I pray that 2011 will be the year of break through.

My flesh issues are so indicative of my mind and spirit issues.  I MUST burn this fat to the Lord as a sacrifice of repentance for my lack of constraint.  I must bring my mind into submission to the Word of God.  I must structure my life around the word, and cause my spirit to reign over me, as the Spirit of God has more and more freedom to flow in me.

Anyway – I am trying NOT to feel like  failure.  I am a stumbling child, and my Father knows this, loves me, and is waiting for me to take His hand..minute by minute, step by step.

FWIW,
~Christi

Saying Goodbye to 2010 and Hello to 2011

Last year was a year of trial and error, over and over and over.

Will that be true this year?  I don’t know, but my plan is to have a plan that I can return to when I fall off the plan.

Starting Jan 3 – I am doing The Bible in 90 Days.
www.biblein90days.org

Also, starting Jan 3 – I am doing The Daniel Fast
www.daniel-fast.com

The Daniel Fast has teamed up with Compassion, International to do a combined program called”Fasting for Food”.
www.fastingforfood.com

I will be asking people to sponsor me for 21 days of the fast –

http://www.firstgiving.com/christiwildmanand I hope that this combination of activities will be a plan that I can get going, with all of them tying together(well, the moving doesn’t tie except that it’s 100 days!)…and I will feel like I am doing something good for me, for my body, and for others.

I also want to go on a mission trip with Compassion International in September to Peru.  I will be selling my paintings and prints to raise money for that trip.

I have also been challenged to join a movement called 100 days Challenge (on Facebook) that is asking people to choose to move for 30 minutes everyday for 100 days.
This is an event on FaceBook.

If you want to join me in any of these events…or you know of them here on SP, let me know!

The time is getting short….I’m 50 now…if I live to 100, I’m over half way there!  I gotta grab it NOW!

In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi

Sunshine and Rain

Sunshine and rain, blue skies and gray, Our God reigns, each and every day!

Ps 147:7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

:8            Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

This weekend, with our full range of sky experiences, has been glorious.

We arrived in the dark, and when you are near the gulf, and away from all lights, it is DARK!  As we drove, the sky was cloudy, so there were not any stars or moon as well.  We walked out to the dunes to look at the waves, and as we walked, the clouds parted.  Standing on the dune, looking at the waves come in, and looking up at stars I have never seen was amazing!  God’s starry show welcomed us to our beach side weekend.

Job 22:12 [Is] not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!

Everyone comes to God in the dark.

2Co 4:6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

We slept, with a window open to enjoy the sounds of the waves crashing, and the smell that only exists on a salt water beach area.  The morning was gray…clouds covering the sky, and wind cutting through the clothing.  Is this really Houston Texas?  It was going to rain…we could see that.  But the beach beckoned to us.  And yet, we had to wait.

We sat and watched the rain as it hit the windows.  The beauty of the water dripping down the glass, the splashes of water when the rain picked up, and the sparkle as light hit the various parts of rain were a delight to watch, from the inside of the RV.  The percussion symphony of the drops was a song of the glory and majesty of Our God. We were protected from the rain!  We were in the midst of a storm, but totally secure, warm, dry, and able to delight in the nourishing nature of the rain outside our stronghold.

Everyone has storms.  Everyone has overwhelming times that just pound and beat against them, threatening to tear them down, or drown them in the emotions.  But the one that trusts in God has a special protection, a special place in the midst of the storms.

Is 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Is 26:3  Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.

Psa 91:1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

:2            I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

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

Mark 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

4:39        And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

:40          And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

:41          And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Sometimes there are dark times that just seem to go on and on and on.  These are the valleys where we are tested.  In Kelly Willard’s song “Hidden Valley’s”, she says :

“Hidden valleys produce a life song

Hidden valleys will make a heart strong

Desperation can cause you to sing

Hidden valleys turn shepherds to kings”

Elijah endured the storms on the mountain.  Isaiah endured the storms laying on his side playing with toy soldiers.  Daniel endured the storms in the Lion’s Den, and his three friends in the fiery furnace.

David was so used to going through valleys, he wrote the 23rd Psalm.  The key is with whom you walk, and what happens on the other side of the storm.

The rain ceased, and the sky changed a bit, but going out onto the beach was possible.  The clouds rolled in, with light from above shining through, giving us the hope that the sun was coming.  We walked along the beach, enjoying watching the surf as it rises and falls, ebs and flows, fluctuating and crashing in an unearthly rhythm that only the creator understood.  Mist rose above the waves, and the wind blew it in from the gulf, stinging my cheeks as I looked out upon the water.  The sand was uneven, unstable, and shifting back and forth as I walked on the beach.  I had to keep my focus, and I had to choose my path carefully, or I could fall, damage my ankle(again) and have a tremendous set back.

In this day of mass confusion for mankind, with crashing sound all around, wars and rumors of wars…we have a path in which to walk.

Mat 24:6   And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

:7               For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

:8              All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.

Mat 24:12   And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

:13          But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

We must stay the course, and hold on to our path.  These are part of God’s plan, though it His allowing men to have their own way, turning them over to their own devices and desires.  But the believers in Christ have a path.

Psalm 37 is such a comfort in times such as these:

Verse 23 says 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.

Ps 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

BUT THE SON IS COMING!!! Breaking through the clouds!

Daniel 7:13          I saw in the night visions, and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

:14          And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed.

Matt 24:30          And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

We are to comfort one another with THESE WORDS!

1Th 4:13   But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

:14            For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

:15          For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

:16          For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

:17          Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

:18          Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Ah – the sun shining upon the waves.  They were beautiful before, with the various shades of gray, but as the sun peaked out of the clouds, the water ignited with diamonds, and deep aquamarines, and blue topazes floating up and down with the undulation of the finest dancer.  The water was alive!

When the Son touches our lives, even though the waves are the same, the sand is the same, and even we are the same, we come alive!  He takes the unholy and makes us holy.  He takes the imperfect and starts shining on the perfections.  He takes the crashing of our waves and turns it into a dance of love and joy and peace and purpose.

For examples of this, read the gospels…the woman at the well, the woman with the issue of blood, the man who couldn’t walk, the man who couldn’t see, the people that could not be part of society because of their leprosy.  When Jesus touches a life, well….

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Our sins are covered by the blood of the Lamb – and it’s now our job to walk in the deliverance HE has purchased for us.

We can look at the waves, and the clouds, or we can look at the creator of the waves and the clouds.  In Matthew 14:28-32,  Peter did fall, BUT HE DID WALK ON WATER!  He first was looking at Jesus, trusting in His word.  THEN he saw the wind and was afraid.  HE TOOK HIS EYES OFF OF JESUS.

I don’t expect to walk on water anytime soon, but we have this concept that walking on water is only for someone like Jesus.  Peter is a man like you and me.  Peter had yet to deny Christ.  Peter walked on water!  Don’t despise small beginnings!

There is a saying that has hung in my mother in law’s house as long as I’ve been in the family.  It says: “I believe in the sun even when it rains.”  Do we believe in the Son, even when it rains?

This seems to be a redundant theme for me, but it fits here as well.  The way to be strong in the storms is to be strong in the Lord.  Here’s a few verses:

  • Be strong in the Lord: Deut 31:6-7; Josh 1:9; 1Chron 28:20
  • Fear Not – the Lord will strengthen you: Is 40:27-31; Is 41:10-13
  • The Joy of the Lord is Your strength: Neh 8:10
  • HE will give us a song: Is 51:11
  • We must come into His presence with praises of thanksgiving, and joyful noises: Ps 95:1-6; Psalm 100
  • And Jesus came so that our joy(the strength from the Lord) would be full: John 15:11; 16:24

Jesus purchased our ability to have joy…the way to obtain that joy is to be filled with the Lord’s joy, which comes from being in His presence, which is only done by entering with praises and thanksgiving.  And the only way we can enter His presence with praises is to make a choice about how we look at the clouds in our lives.

James 1:2-8

We must CHOOSE joy.  Sometimes it’s a sacrifice.

Heb 13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.

But the blessings are great.

Jer 33:11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD [is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: [and] of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.

And, when we dwell in the presence of the most High, we are sheltered by the shadow of His wings…(Ps 91).

The SON cometh!

Psa 96:10 Say among the heathen [that] the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

:11          Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

:12          Let the field be joyful, and all that [is] therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

:13          Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

In the midst of the storms, comfort one another with these words!

And this is my song, my choice to sing in any time of darkness:

Psa 104:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

104:2     Who coverest [thyself] with light as [with] a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

104:3     Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

Ps 27:6  And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

In His hand and under His wings,

~Christi

Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Follow me at http:www.thewildberrypatch.com

Eclectic thoughts

Eclectic

What does this mean?

At the time of this writing, 2001, on Yahoo Groups, if you did a search for Eclectic groups, you will find a large number of witches, wiccan, pagan, new age and shamanism groups that utilize the term “eclectic”.
Webster’s Dictionary says
ECLECTIC: a. from Greek meaning to choose Selecting; choosing; an epithet given to certain philosophers of antiquity, who did not attach themselves to any sect, but selected from the opinions and principles of each, what they thought solid and good.

ECLECTIC: n. A philosopher who selected from the various systems such opinions and principles as he judged to be sound and rational. From Websters 1828 dictionary

And, what other words fit here?

Synonyms : for selecting what appears to be the best from various doctrines,methods, or styles or composed of elements drawn from various source

  1. discriminating, select, selective
  2. elective, selecting; choosing, choosy, discerning , fastidious, finicky, fussy, particular, picky

What can we ‘choose’?
We can choose our God.

  • Josh 24:15 (KJS) And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
  • Isaiah 7:15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good
  • Isaiah40:18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? 19 The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. 20 He that [is] so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree [that] will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, [that] shall not be moved.

So, let’s discuss ‘discerning’: What does the Bible say?

  • 1 Corinthinas 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
  • Eccl 8:5 (KJS) Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.
  • Hebrews 5:13 For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
  • 1 Corinthians 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
  • Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea : who coming [thither] went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

As men and women, given a choice,

we are responsible for that choice.

But, what does the common person think that eclectic means?
Peculiar – What does peculiar mean?

PECULIAR: a.

  1. Appropriate; belonging to a person and to him only.
  2. Singular; particular.
  3. Particular; special
From Websters 1828 dictionary

How does this fit?

Because, a Christian chooses and is chosen to be peculiar

1 Peter 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Belonging to The One!

1 Corinthians 8:6 But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [are] all things, and we by him.

Ephesians 4:4 [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord , one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.

Because of the price He paid

1 Corintians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price : therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission . 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

To deliver us out of darkness!

Colosians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness , and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son : 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

And give His children good things

Revelation21: 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

What about witches, wiccans, pagans

and those that worship the creatures rather than the creator?

God’s view of Witchcraft

2 Chronicles 33:6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft , and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

Exodus 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

Deuteronomy 18:10 There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch , 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

And He will judge them, in His time,

along with many others:

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.


What Should we do?

Choose ye this day Whom Ye shall serve!

Josh 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. 16 And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; 17 For the LORD our God, he [it is] that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: 18 And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: [therefore] will we also serve the LORD; for he [is] our God. 19 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he [is] an holy God; he [is] a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20 If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. 21 And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD. 22 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye [are] witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, [We are] witnesses. 23 Now therefore put away, [said he], the strange gods which [are] among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel. 24 And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.

If you want to know what to do to be saved – check out my page The Most Important thing to Know about ChristArtist.

There are many different methods, but there is only one Christ, and salvation only comes through Him.

Thanks for joining me on my journey!

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

Do You Know Me?

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.

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.

(c)2001 M.Christine Wildman – all rights reserved.

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

(c)2001 M. Christine Wildman; all rights reserved. Permission granted to share, but not to publish in any work to be sold.