Tag Archives: Jesus Loves Me

Surgery Scuttlebutt, part six – surgery and recovery

I’m home! It’s been over two weeks since I’ve shared anything…and I wanted to share the update! Surgery was July 17th. I was in the hospital for 7 days.

If you don’t know what scuttlebutt is, please check out

Intro, part one, part two, part three and part four

If you want a great book to help you prepare for, and recover with, please check out Healing and Hope by Christine Carter. Tell her Christi sent you!

I finally got to Chapter 7. Adjust your lens.

The day before surgery, Jim took me to a very unique hotel, the Tudor Arms in Cleveland, Ohio…just down the road from the Cleveland Clinic.

I wanted to have a restful evening with my husband, and that is exactly what we did.

The outside of the hotel is beautiful.

The history of the hotel is amazing.

The entry was intriguing!


We loved the room.

We had a great supper,


And then we went exploring.
In the rooms that were for banquets and balls, there were details that were amazing, but when you stepped back, you could see the whole picture! Go to the website and look at the beautiful weddings!





 

The next day would be my surgery. This whole surgery scuttlebutt series has been how I could be focused upon the minutia of the issue, but instead, I have been encouraged to widen my focus to see the larger picture, and in that larger picture, I have seen the hand of God.

When I widen my focus, then, when I narrow down into the details, I can see God’s hand, even in the little things.
I was unaware of doing this, until I read chapter 7 – Adjust your lens.

Christine had been encouraging me to be intentional in my healing…via the book.

We must be intentional with our thoughts and expand our vision to include the full scenery we are leaving out.

Here are a few of the things that happened while in the hospital:

  • Our daughter Faith was able to be at the hospital with me because of a scheduling boon with her mother-in-law, making it possible to have the children babysat. She braided my hair after the surgery. Big Picture? LOVE!
  • A dear friend came to visit – and one night, it was so perfect because Jim was exhausted and he felt free to go to the hotel, since our friend Suzanne was there with me! The Big Picture? God will provide for our needs!
  • Jim’s cancer treatment got messed up and he had to have some medicine shipped, and it arrived the day after my surgery. Jim and I had forgotten my CPAP for recovery in the hospital. The day of the surgery, our daughter Faith had been asked to bring it, but she forgot. We were able to not make this detail a bit thing. God took these details, and the big picture was that Jim drove back home for the CPAP, was able to pick up his medicine and continue his treatment while staying at the hotel near the hospital! The Big Picture? God had it under control, with all of our frailties in mind, and the possibility that Jim would not have driven home for the medicine except that he needed to pick up the CPAP!
  • My first roommate was apparently a very angry person. I barely remember. Jim remembers her well. He was trying to figure out how he was going to get me transferred so that I was not with her yelling angry presence. She decided to get up, pack, and leave AMA – he says she walked out of the room, yelling, someone get here and take this IV out of my arm…I’m going home! Big Picture? I know that I felt bad for her, and was praying in my drugged state, but God had already made sure that I would have a peaceful room…the woman made her own choice to leave.
  • I had two other roommates during the 7 days, and as they were preparing to leave, they came over to my bedside and sat down and visited with me. I was drugged, so I have no idea why they became so friendly. the Big Picture? When you pray that you will be Christ like, sharing Christ’s love no matter what, people are drawn to you. Jim says that my character was gracious, compassionate and apologetic for bothering the nurses, even drugged.

From Help and Hope:

I finally discovered that if you can broaden your view – expanding the moments when your vision seems stuck – a massive shift in perspective happens.

When I think about my view, I think about this little house that God has provided us.
Out my bedroom window

Out the bay window….

On the swing and from the swing!

There are parks, and places that I can go to immerse myself in beauty. (these were taken on our 38th anniversary, less than one mile from our home!)

There are many other beautiful views…
My grandchildren, who love to come and say hi.
My friends on the internet that check on me daily, from all over the world.
I just have to look outside of myself – see the big picture, and then, I can drill down the focus and see the beauty of a butterfly, a vine ripe tomato plucked by my grandson, or a marigold that he brings me to cheer me up.

Looking at the big picture reminds me that

  • Even though there is pain…there is no infection.
  • Even though there is pain, there is no cancer.
  • Even though there is limited mobility, THERE IS MOBILITY!

The choice is to be grateful, to acknowledge my blessings, and then, my heart is content!

Isn’t that like looking at the stars and seeing HIS handiwork….

Psalm 19:1 King James Version (KJV)
19 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

and after reading the whole of Psalm 19, I drill down to MY response:

Psalm 19:14 King James Version (KJV)
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Part of adjusting my lens also deals with my mental illnesses – depression, PTSD, and anxiety. When I am in a ‘normal’ state, I feel – MUCH.
But I have been drugged…to help me not feel the pain.
I appreciate the “not feeling” pain, as much as the meds were able to help, but this also effects my emotional state, which is tied to the mental illnesses.

One of the concerns for this journey has been the chemical upset that the various medications will cause to my mental health. Even if one didn’t have mental illnesses, the normal mental person would have struggles with depression and being homebound and such. Therefore, we took measures to insure that I would not succumb to the enemy of my mind.

Just the other day, I read a blog by a dear lady that is also struggling with mental illnesses, and writes about her struggle. She opened my eyes to one of the things that I was experiencing…numbness. What is normal for us is to FEEL – BIG. Take that away, and we don’t feel alive. This can bring in some other issues, for me, such as cutting and bingeing…just to feel. These are some of my enemies.

Katie wrote Wait in the Middle, that so clearly explains this strange situation that effects those of us with emotional issues. I encourage you to go read this!

Back to the book, Help and Hope …I prepared.
I saw the big picture – I have illnesses that need medication.
I saw the big problem – without addressing it, I could relapse into suicidal depression.
I made small, detailed plans – meds were laid out for three weeks, photos of joy were put into photo albums, music to encourage was downloaded, a cd player was set up in my bedroom, and my medical providers were aware of the situation.

Have I had thoughts? not of suicide, Praise God – but I’ve started to have a pity party or two…and by being prepared, I was able to stop that party!
Have I gotten down? yes – and I started counting my blessings, because they were all around me…so the enemy couldn’t lie!
Have I had pain? Yes, and I was able to quote verse as things were being taken care of…to mentally handle the pain.

No matter where you find yourself in this journey, there are those that are willing to help!
In Surgery Scuttlebutt, part two, I talked about how I was afraid I’d be alone…and I have not been!

I hope that you have found something in my story to help you in yours. I have one more blog to share with you the various other things that I have learned…please stay tuned!

 
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.

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

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

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

Surgery Scuttlebutt, part five

If you don’t know what scuttlebutt is, please check out

Intro, part one, part two, part three and part four

If you want a great book to help you prepare for, and recover with, please check out Help and Hope by Christine Carter. Tell her Christi sent you!

Tomorrow is S-day! my surgery. 

In part four, I talked about finding(being led to) our new church, and being blessed by the current sermon series.
I mentioned that I prayed that Pastor Keith would continue for this past Sunday.
AND HE DID!

He taught out of Psalm 91….

If you have never read Psalm 91, please bless yourself and do so now! I’ll wait! This blog will be here when you come back!

I wrote this blog in 2011 – What does Sonic Flood and Psalm 91 have in common?

This blog talks about how important it is that we confess with our mouth to obtain salvation.

That was the focus yesterday of Pastor Keith’s message….
SAY –
life and death are in the power of the tongue.

Proverbs 18:21 King James Version (KJV)

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

There were four points to his sermon, but SAY – SPEAK were the big take aways for me!  There was faith not fear…and two others…but, SAY!!!

Jesus said speak to this mountain and it shall be removed.

Mark 11:23 King James Version (KJV)

23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

  • shall say….
  • and not doubt….but believe
  • HE SHALL HAVE WHATSOEVER HE SAITH!

Now – this is not a name it claim it thing…been there, done that. Never got the t-shirt! But, I did get burned!
God is bound to His word and His plans…it’s not saying I have a Ferrari and poof – I have a Ferrari….
No – it must line up with the promises that GOD has given us…AND, that the devil wants to steal, kill and destroy!

1 Peter 5:8-9 King James Version (KJV)

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

John 10:10 King James Version (KJV)

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Jesus was giving us power – over the enemy! Not to get rich!

Luke 10:19 King James Version (KJV)

19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Dear ones, we have an enemy…but Jesus has defeated him, and IN CHRIST… we have victory!

  • We can claim the promises of Abraham…
  • We can speak life to the death he wants to cause.
  • We can speak peace to the chaos that he wants to cause.
  • We can speak faith to the fear he wants to cause.
  • We can speak truth to the lies that he wants to make us believe.

we can…
WE CAN…
WE CAN…

IT’S A CHOICE!!!

We choose whom we listen to! – I wrote about this in Are you a Judas?

We have to choose Christ – I wrote about this in Lent day eight.

This past year, as I did the study on Lent, I studied Peter – and his choices.

The thing is…

    • we have a choice what comes out of our mouth.
    • we have a choice what goes into our minds AND STAYS!
    • we do have a choice what WE put into our minds!

Looking at this upcoming surgery..I HAVE A CHOICE!
I can be Christ like or I can be Christi like.
I can serve Christ or I can serve Christi.
Christi needs to be CHRISTi…Christ is greater, i am lesser.

Psalm 19:14 King James Version (KJV)

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Jesus said that I could speak to a mountain, and it would be removed.
I don’t have a mountain that needs to be moved…I have a cyst…a mass…a ‘suspicious’ mass that off the record has been called cancer. (legalese about why they can’t call it cancer without a biopsy, which won’t happen until after the surgery).

Yesterday, as the pastor was preaching about life and death in our tongues…I received a word…I believe…for me.

This preparation for surgery has been very interesting.

  • FIRST – God waited until the demon of suicide was defeated in my life(well, until I let go of that demon I’d known for many years…sometimes we become familiar with our demons and don’t know how to let go!)
  • SECOND – God waited until I was settled in with wanting to LIVE! (there is a difference between not wanting to die and wanting to live).
  • THIRD – God waited until I was ready to give up everything to follow his call – back to Ohio – to Youngstown, Ohio! (seriously, from my hometown, we didn’t have much good to say about Youngstown – and if I was coming back to Ohio, I was expecting to go back to MY hometown)
  • FOURTH – God timed the whole thing, from Faith’s house, to the timing of finding the mass, to finding the doctor that is the most experienced in the nation with this type of specialized removal of the mass and saving the kidney.
  • FIFTH – HE BROUGHT ME TO THE CHURCH HE CALLED ME TO 2 YEARS AGO JUST AS THEY ARE ABOUT TO MOVE INTO THE FULFILLMENT OF THE VISION OF A BUILDING…which I was a part of the announcement meeting!( I have to write up an update…because the Lord has orchestrated so much more since April!)

The word I received was to speak to the cyst that it would be removed.
I asked God to heal me…and that took a work of God to get me to the point that I even asked for that!
He didn’t “poof” heal me…and I have experienced that before, but rather, he orchestrated the above steps to get me to this doctor!
If he’d wanted the whole kidney out…he could have just had me do the surgery in January in Florida!
No, HE orchestrated events so that I met THIS doctor, that has THIS skill, and I am here.
I speak to the mass – MOVE!
I speak to the cancer – LEAVE!
I speak to all those that are involved in my surgery and care tomorrow – PEACE – CLARITY – WISDOM
and I speak to the enemy – GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN – YOU HAVE NO PLACE IN THIS STORY OTHER THAN THE BEATEN FALLEN FOE.
IN JESUS’ NAME
BY JESUS’ BLOOD
BECAUSE GOD PROMISED ME, IN CHRIST, BECAUSE OF THE PROMISE TO ABRAHAM AND HIS SEED!

Back to Sunday’s sermon. Pastor Keith shared a vision, very similar to a vision that I have had about that church…meaning that this is where I belong, for such a time as this! I can join in with the vision, but the reason I am sharing this is that Pastor sharing His vision, that was so similar to the one I’ve been given, just confirms that I am right in the middle of the will of God! That’s not always the case… it’s is what my heart desires, but, my flesh often sways my off track. I AM WHERE I AM SUPPOSED TO BE AT THE TIME IN WHICH I AM TO BE!

I want to do a study on Psalm 91…but, my pastor just did an amazing one! In Part four, I gave all the instructions on how to find that sermon. look at the podcasts at Your Greater Life.

Better yet – read Psalm 91. IN THE AMPLIFIED VERSION!

And here’s a few bits that are crucial:
HE THAT DWELLS… do you dwell in the secret place of the most high? He is preparing a place in his mansion for me. Are you even invited into His presence? I was. and am. Do you know what that means? Do you think you are going to heaven?

I WILL SAY…I think I’ve covered that above.
TRUST …believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Acts 16:11

Here’s the thing I’m getting at. Death is a risk whenever anyone goes into surgery.
I am at peace. I don’t fear the surgery, I don’t fear death. Why not? because I know where I am going!
Philippians 1:21 King James Version (KJV)

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Go ahead, read it in context….and for more info, I have shared my thoughts on Philippians 1:18-21.

YOU CAN KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING! I pray that each one that reads this will take this seriously.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Now, I do not believe that I will die…but rather live to declare the glory of God!

Psalm 118:17 King James Version (KJV)

17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.

God has not given me a spirit of fear….
2 Timothy 1:7 King James Version (KJV)

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1 John 4:18 New International Version (NIV)

18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

And God is perfect in Love!
Proverbs 18:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are protected.

It is in the name of Jesus that I dwell in the secret place of the most high, and I am protected.

I pray that each person that reads this will also know the name of Jesus, by inviting HIM into your heart to be Lord and Savior, and to choose to dwell in HIS secret place.
He is my hiding place! And he can be yours!
Psalm 32:7 New International Version (NIV)

7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.

You are my Hiding place

He that dwelleth in the Secret Place.

A song to help memorize Psalm 91:

In looking for a Psalm 91 image, I ran across this lady’s blog about Psalm 91 – with free lock screens for your phone!

here’s an example

I also found this art by Hannah Pagel – that is absolutely beautiful…please check it out! And, yes, I did order one to keep in my bible!

I also found the image for ordering small cards of Psalm 91 at the Father’s Business. Great to have in your purse to share with those you pray for!

I also found a place for Bible Verse art….called, the Bible Verse Images!

another way that I have made images is via the youversion app. GREAT app for having your bible at your fingertips and bible studies, and our pastor puts our sermon series notes in there so that we can take notes right on the phone with the scriptures! woo hoo!

Freedom Word Ministries has a beautiful depiction of Psalm 91 – pray it out loud!

 

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

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

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

surgery scuttlebutt, part four

Definition of scuttlebutt
1 a : a cask on shipboard to contain fresh water for a day’s use
b : a drinking fountain on a ship or at a naval or marine installation
2 : rumor, gossip

I’m not really planning on this being gossip, or rumor…but, hopefully a drink of fresh water.
Think of this as the Naval equivalent of a water cooler conversation.

My surgery is scheduled for July 17th, 2018.

In this book, Help and Hope while you are healing…no, I don’t get any kickbacks…just the pleasure of sharing this powerful book with anyone that will listen, Christine shares about discovering your passion and purpose.

For Christine’s Story about her book, read her blog, A story about a book!

Chapter 3 is managing the pain…great tool for planning ahead.
Chapter 4 is find your people.
Chapter 5 is discovering your passion and purpose…which I talked about in part three.

I wasn’t done sharing how God has led me through this surgery/cancer/move thing!
I wrote about The End is near in March…updated it a bit in April, and there is a huge list of things I should update to this blog!

here’s part of that hand of God orchestrating my life, to create a beautiful symphony!

I was chatting with a young lady that is training a YWAM to be a missionary.
She was sharing with me how the Lord have been guiding her, and what a joy it is to be in the place which God had planned.

here’s my comment:

One very large prayer is being answered. I am at the church the God called me to 2 years ago. God set me up for going back to the church, by having the pastor be at a doctors appointment that I was at, and I recognized him and I prayed for him.
So I have been able to tell them that I was there when he announced his vision for ministering to the unchurched, the marginalized, and the under cared for in this area. And he was stating that two years ago when I was here helping with my daughter while she had their third baby. At that time they had been praying for a church building, as they were meeting in the back of some government offices. I’ve been praying for this church and for their vision and for the Lord to provide this new church building well new to them because it’s a church building that another church is moving out of, but I’ve been praying for 2 years.

When Faith, our daughter, was telling me about this house that God wanted us to move into, one of the things she said was “oh by the way, your church is just around the corner from your house. Around the corner here does not mean always around the corner, the church is just around the corner on Bears den road” (less Than 3 miles away from our house). That is, the new church building that we are going to be renovating the inside and such and the first sermon is supposed to be the first Sunday in September!!!

THIS was just about the clincher to my saying yes to this house. There are so many other things…but this was KEY!

The other thing, it is such a blessing to sit under a pastor that preaches from God’s word. The United States has so many churches and there are many whose pastors do not preach the word of God. At some point God is going to pour out his judgement on America because we have been given so much in the way of his word, and freedom to live under his word and to share his word. This current generation in our country, has gotten the heart that says if he’s not going to correct me now he’s not going to say anything so go on and sin because God’s not watching. There’s a verse of scripture verse, the talks about that.

Yes, this is me…can’t keep me from stating something about the spiritual needs of the people around me…AND ME!

So what’s the big news about this? It’s that the Lord has allowed us to meet people from the church, and have a real connection between the pastor and his wife, right before I end up going into surgery! There are people in this church that will know of me and that know how to pray to God, how to pray the scriptures, and how to lift me up as I am lying unconscious on the surgery table.

I have had peace about the surgery and the surgeon all along, because I believe God set that up, but now on top of the peace, my heart is again, bursting with joy, that God had my church family planned out for this time, 2 years ago!

the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He Delights in his ways! Though he fall he shall not be cast down, but the Lord holds him up with his right hand.

The points.

  • 2 years ago – I met a chiropractor, Suzanne Shaw, that shared with me about her church.
  • I attended while staying here for three months to enjoy my daughter and her sons.
  • The pastor shared his vision, his leading, his confidence that God had provided a church building for them, in which to reach and minister to more people!
  • My heart was touched…and I hated going back to Florida, because we did not have a church there at the time.
  • Two years go by, I’ve prayed for the church, but not had contact, other than visits with Dr Shaw when I’ve been here.
  • The Lord provides a house for our daughter and son-in-law.
  • The Lord provides a house for us, right next to their property.
  • The Lord planted all of us within easy driving of the new church building.
  • The Lord put the pastor and I at the doctors at the same time!
  • I attend my first service, and he is preaching on covenant…being covenant minded, knowing who we are in Christ and why…speaking life with my tongue, NOT DEATH!! timely message!

Here’s the church website, for Greater Life.
You can follow the instructions on obtaining the podcasts at the greater life website.

The specific sermons are in the Summer of Spiritual Growth, Covenant. So far, there are two parts…though he’s wondering about doing a third next Sunday.
On the youversion app, under events, search for greater life church – boardman. there you will find the notes for these sermons!

What has this to do with my surgery?
Well, to be honest, I would not have moved to Ohio if it weren’t for the cancer.
I would not be having surgery in Cleveland Clinic, if it weren’t for my daughter, and the house near her.
I would not be attending this church if I were in Florida.

My purpose.
There are several.

  • To be in a living church to serve.
  • To be in close contact with my children and grandchildren.
  • To share the gospel.
  • To write my story.
  • To serve others and help them to know the peace that passes understanding that is Christ Jesus

Now, a quick touch on chapter 6 – honor your healing. This chapter was NOT what I expected.
Christine set me up!

“the following exercise will help you find your worth in what may feel like wreckage. Instead of wallowing in all the things you cannot do and the ways you feel you are failing, how about you focus on those things you can do and celebrate that?”

28 years of therapy, if not more…and not one has gotten me to do this exercise.
I’m going through this innocent little book…thinking about how I do need to focus upon honoring the pain, so that I don’t undo the surgery(unlike the pelvic lift surgery in which I lifted things too early and felt the ties inside tear!).

“You are not without purpose in who you are and what you can do. We’ve established many ways for you to discover that truth, and I want you to find more!”

Thanks, Christine! You snuck that one in on me!
Seriously…the exercise had you write the gifts that I have that I love.
She has 10 lines.
Turn the page, AND SHE HAS ME FIGURE OUT A PURPOSE FOR EACH GIFT!!!
So, not only have I done an exercise that therapists have begged me to do for decades…I HAVE CREATED AN ACTION PLAN FOR THOSE GIFTS!

If that wasn’t sneaky enough…she inserts poetry here and there…and this one is titled “You are beautiful”.
She follows that poem with Psalm 139:14
Psalm 139:14 King James Version (KJV)

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Those that know me know that if you really want to get my attention…speak scripture!!!
So, I yeild!

And please, join me in worship!!

Beautiful Beautiful by Francesca Battistelli  

I cannot do this without my relationship with Jesus. I did not say BELIEF in Jesus…that’s not enough. I needed a REAL relationship…and that is what HE wants with us. if you are interested, follow 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.

“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.

Surgery scuttlebutt, part two

Definition of scuttlebutt
1 a : a cask on shipboard to contain fresh water for a day’s use
b : a drinking fountain on a ship or at a naval or marine installation
2 : rumor, gossip

I’m not really planning on this being gossip, or rumor…but, hopefully a drink of fresh water.
Think of this as the Naval equivalent of a water cooler conversation.

My surgery is scheduled for July 17th, 2018.

This is part two. My People….
The introduction explained what’s happening
Part One explained how a book is helping me to focus.

My thoughts from 6/29/2018

Friends, as I work through the book “help and hope while you’re healing” by Christine Carter, I am aware that I’m not hooked into a community for the follow up help. Haven’t joined a church, haven’t made friends other than Faith Gibson’s in laws… And I’ve probably got at least 6 weeks of intense recovery.

Chapter Four is “REACH FOR YOUR PEOPLE” and it exposed some things….

This is a source of fear.

Fear hinders healing.

Fear is the opposite of faith.

Trusting in myself is pride and arrogance, and in this case, probably stupid. And, the Bible says some things about TRUSTING God! Psalm 125:1 is a great one!

Patience is trusting in God’s timing.  I can’t change time.

Faith is trusting in God’s plan. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen! Hebrews 11:1 King James Version (KJV) I can’t see what’s going to happen!

Courage is facing fear and not letting it control your choices.

The Peace of Christ passes all understanding… It keeps my heart and be mind in Christ Jesus… Who IS the PRINCE OF PEACE.

I don’t know what will happen in the surgery… But God does.

I don’t know what will need to happen after the surgery, but God does.

Everything that led us to get to this house, this doctor, this hospital has been supernaturally orchestrated.

This symphony had been exciting and beautiful. Right now, the music is low, stirring, and anticipating something big. Crescendo, it’s coming… And the full compilation of all the different interludes is coming. The big finale that shouts “God is not dead, here’s surely alive!” is coming!

Stay tuned for the final chapter!!!

Update – I found some of my people on facebook!
I was struggling…and I confessed it….in light of

James 5:16 King James Version (KJV)
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.

For Christine’s Story about her book, read her blog, A story about a book!

 

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

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

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

surgery scuttle butt, introduction

Definition of scuttlebutt
1 a : a cask on shipboard to contain fresh water for a day’s use
b : a drinking fountain on a ship or at a naval or marine installation
2 : rumor, gossip

I’m not really planning on this being gossip, or rumor…but, hopefully a drink of fresh water.
Think of this as the Naval equivalent of a water cooler conversation.

My surgery is scheduled for July 17th, 2018.

Here’s an email that explains the surgery:

on July 17th I’m having reconstruction of my right kidney…to remove a cyst that looks cacerous, though the official dx won’t be made until they take it out and biopsy it.
 
they want to save as much of my right kidney as they can, because a cyst has developed in  my left kidney over the last four years, though it is not showing evidences of cancer at this time.  8-10 years ago, the one in  my right was determined benign, too.  anyway…the recovery will be long…longer than even the achilles tendon reattachment…during which I thought I’d go out of my mind.
 
Please send me verse, christian songs(youtube) and such that I can meditate upon before, and during the surgery and recovery.
 
I will be in the hospital for up to four days…a little unusual for any of my surgeries…usually, it’s in and out.  Only one , the pelvic lift surgery, was two days.
My artificial cervical disc surgery was two days, be cause the doctor forgot to sign me out.
 
I don’t remember how long I was in for the hysterectomy in 1989…but, those days were a bit different than  now.
 
anyway…I would appreciate prayers…love…and prayers

So, that’s it.
In January, I found out I had probably kidney cancer(they won’t call it official until they take out the mass that lit up with the cancer seeking dye has been biopsied, per Medical protocol – though multiple doctors have slipped and called it cancer).

10 years ago, it was benign.
Supposedly, very few of these turn cancerous…ding ding ding…I won the lottery!

I mentioned the cancer surgery on my fb page, and a new friend, Christine Carter, who lives near Columbus Ohio, where we used to live, offered to send me a copy of her book. I thought, that’s so sweet.
She mailed it, and I opened the box…and I thought, this will be good for me to read while I’m recovering.
Why would I think that?
The name!
Help and Hope While You’re Healing…A woman’s guide toward wellness while recovering from injury, surgery, or illness.

I had read her post that her husband was recovering and said that he probably should read her book now.
That was funny.
But, I had to prepare!!!
On the other hand, I was going to Florida for a week of appointments in preparation(my main doctors are still in Florida), so I planned to take the book along to read and see what’s up.

Then, I opened the book – and she had me at chapter one! “I’ll meet you there!”
She speaks from experience!

Folks – I’ve been where she’s been – with multiple surgeries and illnesses and injuries.
And I HATE WAITING!
MUCH OF HEALING IS WAITING!
Unless you are blessed to receive a supernatural healing, you walk out your healing by faith….and wait for the manifestation!

If there is one thing in my life that i have difficulty with it is waiting.
I prefer to be 15 minutes early anywhere…and I have to practice mercy and grace with those that are late…chronically late…habitually late…as in, tell them to meet you 30 minutes before you plan to do anything to get them there on time late!

I am worse with me.
I’m not healed yet, what am I doing wrong?
Oh, I only had surgery yesterday? You say I’m too hard on myself? HA!!! let me tell you about my artificial cervical disc recovery! ok, most of that was the amazing surgery procedure…but still…replace a cervical disc and I’m nodding my head the next day…come on, we can do better than this with a knee!!! ankle, wrist….I mean, I played the piano just three days after trigger finger surgery!!!

Now…walking, why can’t I walk? Oh, body, you want to shut down? I’ll just walk another mile and…oh, darn…electrolyte crash, call the squad, heart is racing, seeing spots…maybe I should have just sat down!

Running? Who says you can’t run with herniated discs…I’ll show me!!!!
Yep – I showed me, but the wrong part of me did the showing…now I go to a pain doctor on a regular basis for injections, epidurals and blocks!

What are you saying?
I should listen to my body?
That’s not biblical!

Faith is the substance of things HOPED FOR
the evidence of things NOT SEEN….

On the other hand…WHO is sovereign over my life? Jehovah
Jehovah Raphe – the God who heals….
And sometimes He is the God who says BE STILL!
HEAR MY VOICE IN THE QUIET
WAIT ON THE LORD

um….ok, so, I admit that I tend to get out ahead of God…a bit… a lot a bit…to be honest…a lot….often.
And sometimes, yes, he allows me to be put into the position to WAIT upon the LORD, to BE STILL, and to listen to HIM in the quiet.

Christine’s book, chapter two is preparing for the pause…I’m going to write more about that in part one.

For now…if you want more information on Christine Carter and her book, read about it on her blog, A Story about a Book.

 

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

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

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

2018 Lent – Good Friday – 3/30

Lent Day 39 Good Friday

My Lenten Candles for Good Friday –

Lent Devotions
Lent Week Six started March 19
Lent Week Seven started with Palm Sunday, March 25.
These will be updated as the blogs are posted.

I’m so sorry for the delay – thank you for your patience with me as we prepare to move!

I’ve included two cards that I’ve created over the years for celebrating resurrection – you may print them and share them.
Music is listed later.

Scripture

Devotion

Ever since I was little and heard the story every year about Good Friday and that this was the day that we celebrated or remembered that Christ died on a cross, I often wondered why is it called Good Friday? I mean, seriously, Jesus had a very bad day!
Peter, James and John had a very bad day!
I think there were three Mary’s at the cross, and they were having a very bad day!
The only one that was having a good day could possibly be the thief on the cross that confessed his sins and asked Jesus to remember him and was promised while on the cross as he’s about to die that he would be with him in Paradise that day! That would be a good day!

I have nothing to say that has not already been said about Good Friday. Therefore, I’m just going to share my ways of celebrating! Of remembering.  So here are some of my favorite things to do remember the sacrifice that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gave me 2018 years ago.

I often like to watch one of the movies that have been created about Christ’s life. I have favorites for Christmas and I have some favorites for the Good Friday and Easter

You can search for all sorts of these….just beware, you need to keep your bible handy!

I also like to take some time in the morning, since that’s traditionally when we remember the cross, and based on the timeline we’re given in Scripture, and spend quiet time focusing on the fullness of the sacrifice he’s given.

Sometimes, I choose to fast.

This year, I will be traveling with my husband, and I am sure that we will take time to remember and to give God thanks and Glory wherever we are.

Some blogs for meditation

What do all of these women and blog posts have in common? They Love the Lord Jesus, and are focusing on sharing that love through scripture, their giftings, and the word!

On top of these, I’m going to list my favorite music for contemplation and worship for Good Friday.
these first ones really get me….
Didn’t he – Randy Matthews
Watch the Lamb – Ray Botz
The Hammer – Ray Botz
Broken and Spilled Out – Steve Green
The Old Rugged Cross – Jim Nabors

Via dolorosa has a special place in my heart as my daughter Anna and I sang it together one year with the second verse her singing in English and me singing in Spanish.

and to the promise….
I’ll Rise Again – Dallas Holm
Behold the Lamb – Keith and Kristyn Getty
Jesus paid it all – Newsboys
we shall always be with the Lord – Ellie Holcomb

Prayer
Man of Sorrows – Ellie Holcomb

Some other music resources:
Salt of the sound has a listing of 28 songs,
They also have a lent set and an Easter set at their website.
Jesus walk has a great list that includes hymns
This worship together link includes Crowder’s forgiven, Chris tomlin’s God of Calvary and Hillsong’s Grace to Grace

My HEart
Jesus Rainbow –

Jesus Rainbow Poem

Jelly Beans –

Jelly Bean Poem

For years, as an Episcopalian, it was my obligation to attend Good Friday Mass.
Some Churches have Good Friday vigils.
Our church here in Orlando Florida have a mission work they are doing on Good Friday.
Whatever you can find to do to honor the Lord by your own sacrifice as a thank you, do it as unto the Lord!

If you do not understand the meaning behind this ghastly remembrance, I’d recommend that you go back up to Angel’s blog post about why, or check out one of these two 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.

“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.

2018 Lent Day Six – 2/28/2023

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

Lent Day Six
Jesus Weeps

For those Tears I died – The Isaacs

If That Isn’t Love – The Blackwood Brothers Quartet

Scripture

Luke 19:41-44 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Jesus’ Love for Jerusalem
41 As He approached and saw the city, He wept over it, 42 saying, “If you knew this day what would bring peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come on you when your enemies will build an embankment against you, surround you, and hem you in on every side. 44 They will crush you and your children within you to the ground, and they will not leave one stone on another in you, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

Because of the refusal of Jerusalem – the Jews – His chosen people – to receive Him, and for what He knew was about to happen.

The ONE that knew He was going to raise Lazarus – wept.

John 11:35 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
35 Jesus wept.

He joined in the grief of those around him.
In Lazarus’s case, He knew that He was going to raise Him from the dead. Some have said, maybe he felt sorry for having to raise Lazarus – he was in a better place! I don’t know. I do know that He joined in the weeping with Mary and Martha.

His compassion for Jerusalem when they had rejected him is nothing short of Divine! He knew He was going to the cross, at their hands. He knew that He was going to carry the sins of all mankind – and still, His compassion demanded that He Forgive.

Charles Spurgeon said:

A Jesus that never wept could never wipe away my tears.

Our High Priest

Hebrews 4:14-16 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.

He is our Advocate – by dying on our cross!

1 John 2:1-2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. 2 He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.

1 John 4 – the Love of God – in this whole chapter, but here are a few verses I’ve pulled out:

verse 10-11 Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the[d] propitiation for our sins. 11 Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another.

verse 15-16 15 Whoever confesses[g] that Jesus is the Son of God—God remains in him and he in God. 16 And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.

verse 19 We love because He first loved us.

Tears –
God Hears them –

Psalm 6:8

God is touched by them –

Psalm 9:12

God acknowledges them:

Psalm 34:15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and His ears are open to their cry for help.

AND
God keeps each one!

Psalm 56:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 You Yourself have recorded my wanderings.[a]
Put my tears in Your bottle.
Are they not in Your records?

We are different, from those that don’t choose him-

1 John 3:1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
3 1 Look at how great a love[a] the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children. And we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know Him.

God has bestowed upon us His Love, His compassion, His mercy, His grace.
He weeps over us. There are tears of sadness.
He rejoices over us. Don’t we also have tears of joy?
HE LOVES US! And He loved us while we were yet sinners! Oh what a glorious thought!

One last promise:

Psalm 30:5 weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Because He lives(Amen) – by Matt Maher

We were the reason by David Meece

Because He lives – Guy Penrod

~~~~!~~resources~~!~~

I want these to be family activities – therefore, I am going to attempt to give links to free coloring pages. Unfortunately, I cannot find anything about Jesus Wept.
There are other coloring pages at Lent Week Two
~~~~~~~

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:

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.

Older woman with shades of coral in jewelry and sweater, glasses, silver and brown hair.

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.

First Sunday Of Lent 2018

First Sunday of Lent –
If you are doing the Lenten Cross – light all of the candles – because, the light is still in the world.


If just candles – here’s another view:

Lenten Cross Instructions

Lent Week One

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

Songs
Whiter Than Snow – Joslin Grove Choral Society
White as Snow/Nothing But the Blood -Maranatha Vocal Band

Scripture

Luke 23:34 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
[34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”][a] And they divided His clothes and cast lots.

Devotion
Picture this, Jesus has been beaten, pommeled, actually, nailed to a cross, and he’s dying a horrible, painful, slow tortuous death. What’s the first words out of his mouth?

“Father Forgive them, for they know not what they do!”

In my Itty Bitty Bible Study on Obadiah, I talked about the fact that God DOES judge those that do things against his chosen…even when they are messing up! Jesus hadn’t messed up.

Psalm 105:15 says that we are to not touch the Lord’s annointed.
JESUS IS GOD’S UBER ANOINTED ONE!

Christian Apologetic explains why David did not take too kindly to the Amalekite finishing off Saul!

2 Samuel 1:13-16 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13 David inquired of the young man who had brought him the report, “Where are you from?”
“I’m the son of a foreigner,” he said. “I’m an Amalekite.”
14 David questioned him, “How is it that you were not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?”
15 Then David summoned one of his servants and said, “Come here and kill him!” The servant struck him, and he died.
16 For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood is on your own head because your own mouth testified against you by saying, ‘I killed the Lord’s anointed.’”

Saul was David’s bitter enemy! David took killing the Lord’s anointed seriously.

HOW MUCH SO THE GOD OF CREATION WOULD TAKE SERIOUSLY CREATION KILLING HIS OWN SON???
I put out there, that if Jesus had NOT asked God to forgive us, God would have wiped out the whole bunch. There are examples where God did just this! Elijah, Noah, and others. God’s enemies even killed themselves. Jesus was praying for mercy upon those that were playing their part in His death, burial and resurrection.

He was also giving us an amazing lesson in forgiveness!(1 Peter 2:20-23)

Love your enemies

Matthew 5:44-45 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
44 But I tell you, love your enemies[a] and pray for those who[b] persecute you, 45 so that you may be[c] sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Bless them

Luke 6:27-28 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Love Your Enemies
27 “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (also Romans 12:14)

Forgive them!

Matthew 6:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.

The Lord’s prayer…it is a double edged sword….

Matthew 6:14-15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
14 “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing,[a] your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. 15 But if you don’t forgive people,[b] your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing.[c]

Luke gets a bit more specific:

Luke 6:37 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)Do Not Judge
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Jesus expalined it even moreso with the parable of the unforgiving servant.

Matthew 18:21-35

When Jesus said “Father Forgive them” – He asked for mercy upon all of those of us that were his enemy at that time.
He loved us, while we were yet sinners – enemies of God! (Romans 5:6-8)
He blessed us with redemption – while we were enemies to God!
He Forgave us!
Jesus prevented another flood, like in Noah’s day, by transferring his right to revenge into forgiveness!
To Be Like Jesus is to Forgive, Love and Bless, even our enemies.

Do you need to confess your sins? I do!
Psalm 51

Last year, I was confronted with How Long Bitter! I just re-read that. It fits here as well!

And, WHY did Jesus go to the cross? ME! YOU! – Our sins sent him to the cross. He declares us forgiven! Let’s NEVER forget that!

For worshipful meditation:
Forgiveness – Matthew West(and check out the story behind this on youtube!)
Forgiven – David Crowder
Forgive Us – For King and Country
That’s How you Forgive – Shane and Shane
More than Drops in the Ocean – Hawk Nelson

Tomorrow starts Lent Week Two
 

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

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

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

2018 Lent Day 2 – 2/15/2018 Zacchaeus and Children

Lent Week One

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

Lent Day 2 – How to come to Jesus!

Do you remember the song Zacchaeus was a wee little man?

Pass Me not, O Gentle Savior – Don Moen
Open my eyes Lord, I want to see Jesus – Phil Driscoll
Open My eyes Lord – I want to see You. – Michael W. Smith

Zacchaeus and the Children.

Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Jesus Visits Zacchaeus
19 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. 4 So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since He was about to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today I must stay at your house.”
6 So he quickly came down and welcomed Him joyfully.

The Little Children

Luke 18:15-17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Blessing the Children
15 Some people were even bringing infants to Him so He might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 Jesus, however, invited them: “Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

I see a very similar theme in these two stories.
Zacchaeus was too small to see Jesus, so he climbed a tree.
The children were too small to go up to Jesus, so their parents brought them.
JESUS WELCOMED BOTH!

In a way, I can see Zacc as a child, climbing a tree! His innocent desire to SEE Jesus – and that heart is what JESUS saw!
Not what the others saw!
I konw that the parents were probably wanting Jesus to bless the children, but I think the children must have wanted to see Jesus also. Or he would not have stated that we need to come to him as a little child.

When Jesus went to Zacc’s house, those religious folk said “he’s gone to the house of a sinner!”(Luke 19:7)
We know that Jesus let them know elsewhere that he didn’t come for the well, but for the sick! (Mark 2:17)

Zacc’s response to Jesus coming to his house was this:

Luke 19:7-9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7 All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to lodge with a sinful man!”
8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give[a] half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay[b] back four times as much!”
9 “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham.

Jesus’s response was SALVATION!!!

In Matthew 19, we are told that Jesus said this about the children and heaven!

14 Then Jesus said, “Leave the children alone, and don’t try to keep them from coming to Me, because the kingdom of heaven is made up of people like this.”

In Mark 10, we see Jesus show love to the children!

16 After taking them in His arms, He laid His hands on them and blessed them.

I think that Jesus speaking to Zacchaeus, while he was in the tree, and then going to his house was just as wonderful to Zacc as being welcomed onto the lap of Jesus, and prayed over.

In the beginning of the book In His Steps, the church is confronted with a sick, homeless man. How they treat him leads them down the path to what we know as the WWJD movement. What Would Jesus Do? this book transformed my attitude about people, and helped me to see things a bit more from Jesus’s POV.

There is a movie that is NOT a reproduction of the book, but has the same premise. What Would Jesus Do.
If you are looking for something to help you reflect on your life and how to be more like Jesus, I suggest any of the WWJD movies!

Is there any people group that you are repulsed by? Or maybe just uncomfortable with? I confessed to my small group that I have trouble with Rick people. I always have. I can sit in the gutter, but I have trouble relating to those that have – a lot! I heard a quote, from Tommy Nelson, about Billy Graham’s first talk at Cambridge as a young preacher. CS Lewis came up to him and said “Don’t look at us as Cambrdge men. Look at us as sinners. We all need Christ.”

Do you have an idea of what Jesus would do in any circumstance? Do you know you have access to HIM, to ask for the wisdom, if you do not! James 1:5 Whether I know or not in the moment, I am without excuse, because God has promised to give me whatever wisdom I need at any moment!

How can we welcome others to Christ? I envision us doing it just like the children – if they do not have a reason, they welcome anyone with open arms! No judgement.

How should we come to Jesus? As a child, with all of our preconceived notions set aside, just fully engaged with HIM! And HE will inturn, welcome us with open arms!

Let’s pray! and Worship!

Jesus Loves me – great worship version by the Barrett Sisters
An Adult version of Jesus Loves me -by Chris Tomlin

How to become a Child of God:
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.

“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.

A Day to Remember Love – a photographic journey


dedicated to my two greatest loves:

Jesus Christ – no photos please.

Jim Wildman

 

God gives me a check list for LOVE:

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

God Inspires me to Love:

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

Jesus Commands me to Love:

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

God enables me to LOVE

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

God Shows me how to Love:

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

God led me to MY LOVE:

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

We were created for each other:

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

Jesus confirms that we have become ONE:

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

Paul Confirms we have become one.

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

 

 

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

 

Jesus is creating HIS bride!

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

 

 

And, we are preparing for the GREAT WEDDING FEAST!

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

 

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

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

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

 

Here’s some of our wedding and love songs:

AND

AND

I prefer Jim Wildman singing this! 😉

This version of Longer with scriptures added is very worshipful!

Maranatha kids – 1 John 4:7-8

 

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

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

I want to thank

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