Tag Archives: Mercy

Spiritual Walking – Day 3 – PAIN!

After my walk yesterday, and some working around the apartment and such, I had a HUGE PAIN in my left foot.

I was limping…badly.

My WALK  was affected – in many ways!

  1. I was having trouble remembering that my mouth is not connected to my foot! Nor do I want my foot in my mouth!
  2. I was having trouble moving from point A to point B. I wanted to just sit, lay, stop and stay – but I wasn’t really wanting to pray.
  3. God’s grace comes to those who ASK – and as we sat with friends, I WAS ASKING so as not to harm anyone with my mouth.
  4. sometimes, God wants you to sit, stay and pray – and we don’t listen so good!
  5. We can’t do this alone…not even Me & Jesus…we are in a fellowship – fellows in a ship!  And I needed some ‘fellas’ to help me out in many ways…and in this blog, I am going to give several shout outs to the fellas(and sistas) that have helped me out today!

This morning, I awoke, and I still could not put weight on this foot…and I was having an inner argument with God.

“I do not need this now, Lord!”

SILENCE

“I know You know what is best for me Lord – I mean, I do not WANT this now, Lord!”

SILENCE

“I am afraid of going through another round of foot surgeries, Lord, and I don’t think I can handle it on top of everything else that is going on”

SHOUT OUT TO MY HUSBAND, JIM!

My husband was praying – and he said “I pray that you will go back to bed for a nap, and wake up, and the pain will be gone, and the bump will be gone or much smaller.”

I had just confessed to him that I was trying to keep my tongue from evil…

Ps 34:13 Keep MY tongue from evil, and MY lips from speaking guile.

Ps 141:3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

I didn’t believe…but I confessed that I would trust in the Lord.  I apologized each time I snapped…and I reminded myself, just because I’ve confessed I’m having trouble with my tongue, doesn’t mean I need to abuse his grace by letting my tongue fly!

Then, verses came up on Face book:

SHOUT OUTS TO MY ONLINE ENCOURAGERS!

From Jim Wildman’s FB page:

Gods standards have not changed. If we want to abide, we must walk His way.
Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. http://bible.us/Ps15.1.KJV

From Larry T Crafter’s FB page:

No one enjoys having to wait..but as a friend of mine loves to remind me; ” Be Still and know that I Am God!” Waiting teaches us patience and allows us to see God’s plan unfold. As we wait, we learn acceptance, steadfastness and faith that God is in control! When the cloud tarried… then the children of Israel… journeyed not” (Num. 9:19). I will stand still until God’s will is clear!
Blessings

And this prayer ring from Cheryl Miller’s FB page:

Family I need God to do something for me, and I’m pretty sure many of you need him to do something for you as well. So just for today, how about you pray for my breakthrough and I will pray for yours…family lets move heaven today with our prayers. The word of God clearly states, where 2 or 3 come together in my name I am there, (Matthew 18:20) so come on family lets get down on our knees and move heaven today.

Then, this appreciation note from AntoinitaViolette on FB:

Today is your appreciation day, not the only one…but, just wanted to tell you that you have been an encouragement to me. Thank God for you, and thank you for saying, Yes! to the Lord…daughter of The Most High and Royal King, making you of the houselHold!Amen!

How was I supposed to continue in this funk, if the Lord is putting words like these together on Facebook, just to hit me in the eyes, and in the heart, and remember HIS WORD?

And I got an email in one of my groups…where a dear lady reminded me that we are all in the same boat:

Well, girlfriends, it sounds like we can all relate!!! Is there something crazy in the air? phases of the moon? unrelenting demands? rogue hormones? Let’s band together in “fellowship”–fellows, or rather females, all in the same boat–and encourage one another! Keep your heads up, eyes on the Prize, resting fully in His promises as we just “do the next *right* thing”!!! ~MT

Another friend sent email – and she really ‘got it’.

Christi – I know you did not need this. I am praying that this would heal quickly or just disappear. ~ Love, CB

This friend, Cathie, even went so far as to ask me, in chat, if I had cried out to God! The honest answer was I’d yelled out, I’d begged out, but did I cry out?  I don’t know if my heart was in a right place,  but yes..before my nap(per my husband’s instructions) I told the Lord, cried out to the Lord – “I don’t think I can handle this! Please, take it away, or give me the strength to bear it!”

What have I learned?

  1. The Lord can put a watch over my mouth
  2. I have to MOVE toward’s God – because HE didn’t move away from me
  3. I have to CRY OUT to God for HIS help; I have to ASK for help.
  4. I need to wait until I know God’s will, Be Still
  5. I can’t do this by myself.  I am in a ship – a fellowship

I don’t know if this is 1 step or 5…but the key is that I did beg out to God…and HE put the words in several people’s mouths and hearts – to encourage me in my walk today!

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.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

 

  1. Weight Watchers – day 3
  2. 100 Spiritual Steps- blog – day 3
  3. Chronological Bible reading…
  4. 50 days T-Tapp – AL, OIP, HD- gotta start!

 

Spiritual Walking Steps – Start Over – Day 1

I started a blog a while ago about 100 Spiritual Walking Steps.
I apologized in a blog, for not making sure that I kept that blog going as I traveled.
Well – I hope to start over…

Walking – a spiritual walk.
Why does walking have such a deep meaning to me?

Well – while in the Navy, I fell and was paralyzed from the waist down for several months – because of inflammation around five discs that were slipped. While I am very good with a wheelchair…I really appreciate the ability to walk.

After many surgeries on various parts of my legs, last summer culminated in three surgeries on my right ankle. After each surgery, I had weeks that I could not walk – wheelchair bound, and beholden to others to help me get around, and do things. I was very good with the wheelchair, but I wanted to walk on my own two feet.

Last December, when my daughter was going to give birth to our second grandchild, I was not permitted to travel, because of the recovery of my ankle. Needing a wheelchair would be a burden to them, as well as not being able to walk up and down the stairs in their house, or walk my own dog. This was very devastating to me.

Therefore – physically, I want to walk! But, while I have not been able to walk, I have thought about my Spiritual Walk.

The Psalm that comforts me the most, whenever I am in a trial, is Psalm 23.

The LORD is MY shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores MY soul: He leads me in the paths of righteousness for HIS name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death: I will fear no evil: for YOU are with me; YOUR rod and YOUR staff, they comfort me.
YOU prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: You anoint my head with oil; My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

For me, the main points in this psalm are about walking, following, and yielding to the shepherd.
The FIRST step, is making sure that the LORD Jesus Christ IS YOUR Shepherd!
I did that in August of 1969.
The Plan of Salvation is simple.

The thing is – just like exercise, every day, I have to wake up, and say “Jesus, I choose YOU, and YOUR path, TODAY.”

The other TRUTH is, there are times during the day that I have to say “oops, I have walked off the path. Jesus, I’m sorry, I choose to walk on YOUR path again.”  It seems that the first step seems to often need to be repeated.

***I am not speaking about salvation needing to be repeated – I’m talking about needing to notice where one is walking, and making adjustments when needed to get back in focus with Jesus Christ.***

So – Step 1 for a Spiritual Walk is choosing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and choosing to walk in His paths daily.  Maybe that’s steps 1 & 2…but they are the ONLY steps that are important when it all boils down to it.

For Today, I choose Jesus.  My plan is to choose HIS paths every second of every day – but I know that I will fall.  And just like walking, when you fall, you need to get back up…but I’ll talk about that later.

My verse for today:

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.


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.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

 

  1. Weight Watchers – day 1
  2. 100 Spiritual Steps- blog – day 1
  3. Chronological Bible reading…
  4. 50 days T-Tapp – AL, OIP, HD- starting NOW

100 days of walking in the spirit….what day is it?

Some ideas are great…but the implementation of them falls short. That is what has happened with this great idea of 100 days of walking in the Spirit.

On the other hand, the theme of these past days (this is day 127, thanks to this little calculator), has been walking.

I’m in Germany.
I have been here since April 19th.
That was the 109th day.
I had to WALK through my fears of the TSA pat down issues to get on the plane.
At my daughter’s house, there are stairs to WALK from the main living area to my living area…12, I think.
To WALK my dog, there is an uphill path, into the woods that goes uphill. Yes, it does come back downhill to get back home. I’m not going to play the uphill both ways card…though, this little village does seem to go uphill more than down!

Shortly after arriving, I was stuck with a huge boil on my right toe…gross, nasty and painful. No medical options, and my visit here was just beginning. God said to walk out my healing by faith.
Oddly enough, this trip has been full of walking, and I am always by my daughter, FAITH! But, seriously, it’s been a walk of faith for me…since I was not permitted to travel here in December because of how unstable my ankle was…not to mention my knees and hips(sorry, I just mentioned them!)

I have WALKED up to Hohenekan Castle.
I have WALKED all around Innsbruck.
I have WALKED Garmisch.I took the cable car to the top of the highest peak in Germany.
I WALKED the lowest gorge in the Garmisch area.
I WALKED the palace Linderhoff grounds.
I have WALKED Munich.
Yesterday, I not only WALKED around Castle Altdahn, I climbed a set of ladders up into the tallest tower.
Today, I will WALK Heidelburg.

But, this morning, I walked in the woods, as I have almost every morning I’ve been here.

Ps 37:23 The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

this is a cool verse…with promises that if you fall, you will not be cast down…but how are the steps of a good man ordered by the Lord?

Prov 3:5 – 6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I’ve been learning to trust in the Lord…not MY understanding.  As I climbed the ladder in the Altdahn Castle, each step was a prayer to my Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus to conquer the lifelong fear of heights.  My own understanding, and that of my daughter Faith, was that I was not able to climb that ladder.  No one would have imagined I could have climbed that ladder, switched over to the second one, and then, at the top of the tower…walked to the edges and looked down!

I’m taking steps, I’m learning to walk in the Spirit, and to trust totally in the Lord…not MY understanding!  After 41 years, something should start sinking in, right?  And then, as I was praying these verses as I walked back to the house, the Lord reminded me of this verse:

Ps 100:1-3 Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

I’m learning to walk in the Spirit…and one of the things I realize was that writing a 100 days set was NOT in the works for me while I’m traveling. But, I am still learning more and more about walking!

Thanks for joining me…and keep taking steps in your walk…just one foot in front of the other!

In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi

The First 100 Days – Day 100 – what have I done?

Day 100

What were my goals?

  1. 100 days of moving challenge
  2. 100 days blog challenge
  3. 90 days Bible Reading
  4. multiple T-Tapp challenges
  5. 40 days of Fasting For Food

What have I done?

  • I did complete the Fasting for Food – though I raised very little money for Compassion through that project.
  • I did not complete any T-Tapp challenges, because of vertigo issues – though this did separate the vertigo issues from everything else.
  • I did not complete the 90 days Bible Reading – though I read parts of my Bible I had never really ‘read’ before, and I did read more in the first 100 days because of this challenge.
  • As obvious by the lack of blog posts, I did not complete the 100 blog challenge, though the eye problems from the vertigo were clarified because of my difficulty at the computer screen.
  • I did not complete the 100 days of moving challenge – though because of it, I am now able to walk more than a 5k (3.2 miles) in a little over an hour, and I am able to start handling stairs. This has prepared me for my trip to Germany.

While the goal of a challenge is to complete it, I’m not sure that is what God’s requirement is. Yes, we are to be like Paul:

Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I just don’t think that God means that we are to arrive there in our lifetime. I’m not sure it’s possible.
What kept me from completing my challenges? Trials, to be sure, but more honestly, temptations to do otherwise.

James 1:12 Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

  • I did not choose to move when I could…and, honestly, if I could move to go to the bathroom or put something in my mouth, I could have moved for 10 minutes!
  • I did not choose to read the Bible or to listen to the Bible being read when I was too dizzy to focus… and honestly, I watched a lot of stupid TV while I sat trying to stay upright.
  • I did not choose to write short blogs, to share my experiences (which would have caused me to do some Bible study as well)…but I did keep up with email.

See, I can make excuses for not completing my challenges.

I know that God does not grant me salvation based on how good I do in challenges(THANK YOU JESUS!).
But I KNOW that I did not give my all to these challenges.
I KNOW that I treated my flesh before honoring God’s Spirit.

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.

So, for me, there has been sin.
Thankfully, for me, Jesus takes care of that for me when I confess my sins. He is faithful to forgive me of my sins(Thank you LORD!) (1 John 2:1-2 with 1 John 1:9)
Thankfully, there is no condemnation!

Rom 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

And the last two qualifiers are what lead me to my next goal…
walk NOT after the flesh, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT!

When Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery, he said: “Go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11)

I will be setting new goals for the next 100 days, and I will be trying to walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:25).

AND, I will continue to confess my sins, I owe that to my Savior.

James 5:16 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.

And, through James, I have a promise:

James 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

 

I will be working on a new signature set of challenges…but until then,
Thank you for joining me in this journey!

In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi

The First 100 days – day 83 – Protection

Psalm 91 – the Protection Psalm.

It’s called the Soldier’s Psalm. You can print it out at Lamppost Publishing. It is said that it was prayed by the 91st Brigade and they suffered no casualties.

I want to believe that this is psalm is a promise that is absolute.

~~~Especially this part~~~
Ps 91:3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
~~~~and this part~~~~
Ps 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

Yes there are the qualifiers:

vs 1 dwells in the shelter of the Most High
vs 2 says to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
vs 9 has made the Lord your dwelling place—
vs 9 has made the Most High, your refuge
vs 14 holds fast to God in love
vs 15 knows MY(God’s) name.

I suppose that if I walked perfectly, without sin, then nothing would happen to me, to hurt me…right? We always have the promises in Deuteronomy 28. Even that comes with qualifiers:

Deut 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if
a. thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God,
b. to observe [and]
c. to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

Are we really supposed to be protected from all the evil that is in the world?  If everything went right for Christians, we’d have no problem evangelizing, or would we?  When the Jews, who followed God’s cleansing laws, didn’t get the diseases around them, they were attacked for calling on their God to attack those that got sick!  When a family has raised children that are obedient, respectful, God-fearing and God serving, others don’t say “Hey, how did you do that…I want my kids to be just like yours!”  Others say – you are too strict, you are too narrow minded…you are stunting your children’s growth, all the time their children are running amuck.

My children are not the perfect God-fearing, missionary, ministry focused youth, so, I can say the above.  They had a problem.  They had a handicap. They had Jim and I for parents.  And, we are imperfect.  We have a fallen nature.  We made mistakes – probably more than even those we’d rather not broadcast!  So, we had injuries.  We had sickness.  We had financial issues.  We didn’t qualify for Deut 28.  We tried to abide under the shadow of the almighty, and dwell in the secret place…but we kept steppin’ out of the covering!  Because we ARE human!

The Bible is not black and white. WHAT???!!!??? Is this CHRISTI writing???!!!???

While there are these promises for protection, there ARE qualifications – cause and effect – consequences – and, um, freedom of choice – free will – which can turn into self will!

Jesus was perfect…and those last few days were pretty painful to Him.  It was because of our sin.

Is 53:5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Have you stopped transgressing?  I haven’t.
Have you overcome all your iniquities?  I haven’t.

Therefore, the chastisement of our peace was laid upon him, and he gave us peace.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

And by his STRIPES we are healed.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

WHOA! THERE’S MORE QUALIFIERS! Or is it the responsible reaction of gratitude?

God KNEW we would still have trouble with our sinful nature…and gave us even MORE help!

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

Why am I contemplating this today?  There have been several incidents lately that have made me dig deeper into my understanding of God’s handling of my affairs.

Today, I learned that my middle son almost lost his finger in a log splitting accident.

Steve's finger, after log splitting accident

I know he isn’t walking ‘perfectly’ with the Lord – just by what I know!  But, even though his finger was not protected, and the bone was cut in two – God DID protect him, and in his drugged state, he called and told my husband these ways, giving God the praise:

  1. it did not go all the way through…it has all the parts cut, and the bone broken…but missed the artery.
  2. He had gloves on. Grandson Brayden was with him and did not see much at all – was fine until the ambulance got there.
  3. Brayden’s mom was out there – a) they are trying to work out their relationship, b) she was able to take care of Brayden and Steve
  4. The doctor at the community hospital put it back on, then sent him to a bigger hospital…which was so impressed with her work, it did not need to be re reattached.
  5. They are sure that they can reattach tendons and such – he has a consult tomorrow (Friday)

Stephen was praising God for all these ways that God protected him…and we join him in that praise and thanks!

All of the mighty men and women of the Bible had ‘bad’ things happen to them in their lives.  How do I hold both the evidence of a fallen world(we don’t live in the Garden of Eden) with the promises of protection and provision?

I Believe:

  1. God is Who He says He is.
  2. God can do what He says He can do.
  3. I am who God says I am
  4. I can do what He says I can do(all things through Christ!)
  5. God’s word is active and alive in me.

from Beth Moore – Believing God.

I believe that God’s Word – the Bible as we know it – is, well:

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Therefore, what seems to be a contradiction, is just a matter of digging deeper, to get understanding.

Dog owners – have you watched the shows Dog Whisperer or It’s Me or the Dog?  To train a dog, you do not give them affection when they are doing the wrong thing.  You praise them when they are doing the right thing, and give them blessings called treats!  As humans we are just now learning this…maybe God knew it all along?

Parents – are you familiar with such training as Positive Parenting? Actually, I have only heard rave reviews.  My training for child care at the YMCA utilized this type of training.  When a child is misbehaving, you do not give them the attention they are trying to obtain.  When the child is behaving you lay praise and adoration on thick!  You choose discipline that leads the child to an ability to self control, and eventually, other character qualities.  IBLP has a great training about Character Qualities. Another group, Character First has great resources as well.

What’s my point? We’re not here to be protected from physical harm.  Noah lost everything in a flood!  And he was the only righteous man found!  Lot was protected from destruction.  Jesus was beaten, and crucified – and He was PERFECT.

A child that ate candy all their life would have cavities.  Is that God’s fault? It’s a consequence of the choices(for a child, the parent’s).
Lot’s family was delivered from the destruction, and because of their hearts, they then brought destruction upon themselves. It was THEIR choices!

I have health issues because of how I have NOT taken care of this temple…that’s NOT God’s fault, that’s cause and effect. I can, however, use these ‘negatives’ to change things, and then ask God’s favor, grace and mercy to help me ‘get it right’.  After all, that’s God’s purpose – to have me run into His tower for protection, and dwell with Him!

The spirit of the man is what is important. The purpose for anything in our lives is to make us more like Jesus.

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

To me, the promise of protection is a ‘carrot’ that reminds me to DWELL under the shadow of the Almighty!
To me, the promises of Deuteronomy 28 are ‘rewards’ for choosing to obey what God has shown me.

YES – when something bad happens, I do check out my relationship with God first! Then, if I need to repent – I do it.  If I need to turn around, or ask forgiveness, or change something – I do it!

I KNOW that my heavenly Father loves me, and gives me ONLY good gifts.  James 1:17
I KNOW that bad things happen because of my fallen nature. James 1:13-16
I KNOW that all things work together for my good….Romans 8:28(there’s a qualifier here!)
I KNOW that God has a plan for my life – Jeremiah 29:11
And that plan has been in effect since before I was born…Psalm 139:13-17, Jeremiah 1:5
I KNOW that bad things happen, because of the fallen nature of the world…Romans 8:22

I also know, by combining these scriptures and many others, that some perfect gifts come wrapped in bags of garbage.  It I toss them out, and complain about the garbage, I will never get that diamond, ruby, sapphire that is hidden in the midst of the garbage.  It’s just like those presents that people give with multiple boxes, filled with newspaper…only the gift at the end of this garbage bag is eternal…and growing closer to the Everlasting God!

God’s ways are so much higher than ours. The foolishness of man(what confuses man) is the wisdom of God.

Romans 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Col 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him:

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Does it make any sense that one person, totally void of any wrong doing, would take the death penalty for all the terrorists in the world? All the rapists? All the murderers? All the child abusers? All the kidnappers?  No.  It doesn’t make any sense to me.
Does it make any sense that the death of one man could provide the choice for anyone, whosoever chooses, to be washed of all their crimes, and to start life anew – nothing hanging over them?  No.  It doesn’t make any sense to me.
Does it make any sense that a person, to whom so much has been given, would go back to their crimes, and muck up the beautiful opportunities laid before them?  No.  It doesn’t make any sense to me.
Does it make sense that the Bible has promises for perfect protection, as a result of perfect obedience? Yes.
Does it make sense that a judge would give out leniency, mercy, and grace to criminals that break the laws of his jurisdiction? No. And yet, God blesses the just and the unjust every day.
Does it make sense that a loving Heavenly Father would make a way for His erring children to come back into fellowship – and receive the blessing of His presence through Jesus Christ, our ambassador?  As a mother, this makes sense to me. As a citizen, I want the full application of the law! Put those ogres in prison!

So, I have conflicts with what many take for granted in God’s word…and yet, I can hold the conflict of protection, with the bad things that happen together in my heart as both true. Why? Because Christianity IS FAITH! I may not be able to see the sense in what God has done, but I am so grateful for the ‘foolishness’ of God that has washed me from my sins, that I am willing to receive all the ‘foolishness’ of God as just far above my wisdom. Jesus asked the questioning Pharisees – Is it easier to heal or to forgive sins? In truth, it is much easier to heal…because forgiveness comes very hard! So, the greatest mystery is that God sent His Son to die on my behalf…everything else is just, well, faith!

I have been guilty of asking “WHY ME?” or “WHY MY FAMILY?” at times…and, I have repented.  The question should be “WHY NOT ME?”  Why do you choose to look upon my family with grace and mercy, when we are not perfect?  Why didn’t I leave 2 seconds earlier and be in that huge accident right behind me?  Why didn’t my babies die at birth when things looked so bad? Why didn’t Jim lose his job, and we go for months on unemployment?  Why didn’t I get cancer?  Why not us?  Because, HE LOVES US!  And because HE loves us first, we love Him.

Here is a passage from Isaiah – to just remind us what Jesus did for us…and can we take the little difficulties(as Paul said) and choose to count them but joy?(2 Cor 4:16; 2 Cor 11:23; Phil 3)

Isa 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.
Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

I have one last quote:

“If you wish to know God, you must know his Word.
If you wish to perceive His power, you must see how He works by his Word.
If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word.”
…(C.H. Spurgeon)

I lied:

Sola Fide – by faith alone
Sola Gracia – only by God’s grace
Sola Scriptura – only by God’s word
Solus Christus – through Christ only
Soli Deo Gloria – only for the glory of God.

Bad things WILL happen. That’s NOT the point.  The point IS – how will we respond?  I want to always run to the tower of the Lord, and to dwell under the shadow of His wings – because it’s only through the Lord that I have help to make it through the bad things that happen.

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

In case you are interested, Mary Jane Holt, of the The Citizen researched the story, and the truth about the Soldier prayer...very nicely done.
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.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

  1. 100 days of moving challenge – day 83 – going to the Y!
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 25 verses in 52 weeks – Phil 4:8
  4. 90 days Bible Reading – Luke
  5. 50 days T-Tapp – AL, OIP, HD

The First 100 Days – Day 76 – Fifteen

15

Not enough to be a quarter, clumsier than a dime.
It’s only half of a 30 day challenge.
Not old enough to drive.
We see John 3:16 every where, but who memorizes John 3:15?
1 Corinthinans 12, 13, and 14 have been etched in our minds, but what about chapter 15?
Wikipedia actually has an entry for 15, with the warning:”This article may contain excessive, poor or irrelevant examples.”

What good is 15?
You get 10 minute breaks, 30 minute or 60 minute lunches, but not 15.

What can you do with 15 minutes?
In the book, Side-Tracked Home Executive, there were an amazing amount of 5, 10 and 15 minute chores! It doesn’t seem to have transferred over to the internet version, The FlyLady, though.

Think about it, what can you do in 15 minutes?
My S.H.E.  Motto was Swish, Swipe and Shine. Toilet, counter top and sink.
With a little practice, I could do it in 15 minutes.
If I did it every day, I could do it in 15 minutes.
If I skip a day, that would add up to a week, and then, it would take longer than 15 minutes.
Keeping up with things means it takes less time to keep up with things!

Fly Lady goes into setting a timer for 15 minutes, and tackling hot spots…those spots that just build up. It’s amazing what you can do in 15 minutes, if you focus on the task, and stay with it.

An exercise program that I have found VERY useful is called T-Tapp. Teresa’s book is “Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes.” Almost every T-Tapp video I have is less than 15 minutes.  And the impact of 15 minutes everyday is evident in the testimonies shared.

Anything else?

Here, I’ll try some things….

  1. How many ecards can I send in 15 minutes? Set the timer….Well, with my goofs, and some extra time to view things, at DaySpring, I was able to send 5.  Others may be faster(computers, programs and/or people).
  2. How many FB posts can I view and like in 15 minutes? Well, since I had already commented and posted on many today, in five minutes, I found 15 to like, one to check out the photo, and another I could have commented on.
  3. How many emails can I go through in 15 minutes? I had already read through emails this morning, but in 15 minutes I was able to go through 40 emails, deleted 30, actually read through 7(blogs and newsletters) and filed or archived 3.  I did reply to 3, as well.

These activities can be a real time waster…I’m sitting at my computer(because it’s easier than getting up and exercising) and I realize it’s 1:30PM, I haven’t eaten breakfast, and I haven’t gotten anything done but email, FB, chat, skype, and sometimes, my blog.

I can’t set a timer for my blog…because I want to let it flow. But I can do that for other things!

  • FB – Facebook. If I set a timer for FB, I wouldn’t get lost in the variety of posts, and I would be able to purposefully focus my time.
  • Email – If I would set a timer for email, I might make better choices about whether to archive, reply, forward, trash various posts. But giving myself unlimited time on either of these just keeps adding up to, well, a lot of time!
  • Hot Spots – I do get caught up with organizing, or I get distracted while do so, and lose track of time.
  • Chores – yes, even adults have chores(especially when the kids grow up and move out!). But, rather than putting them off, what about “I’ll work on that for 15 minutes!”

There are some things that won’t work well with this system.

  • TV – it just doesn’t fit into 15 minute time slots
  • Skype – I’m NOT going to put a timer on my Grandbabies!
  • Jim Time – I need to give him more time
  • Bible Time – while 15 minutes is a good start – sometimes a study just won’t quit in 15 minutes.
  • Prayer – again, giving at least 15 minutes is a good start, but hopefully, prayer life will take over.

The last two, you may have to set a timer so that you actually can quit in time for school, work or church!

15 minutes can be very powerful.
What about 15 seconds?

Hold your breath for 15 seconds…and read this:

ONE one thousand
TWO one thousand
THREE one thousand
FOUR one thousand
FIVE one thousand
SIX one thousand
SEVEN one thousand
EIGHT one thousand
NINE one thousand
TEN one thousand
ELEVEN one thousand
TWELVE one thousand
THIRTEEN one thousand
FOURTEEN one thousand
FIFTEEN one thousand

Now, was that hard? Probably not.
But imagine that it is NOT you that isn’t breathing, but your child…and how long is 15 seconds then?

Time is a gift, given to us by God. Every second we let slip away is gone, forever. It doesn’t come back around, even though it seems like it when we wake up. It’s gone. Forever.

Time adds up.
The one month old, living day by day for 335 days, is now 1 year old. He won’t go back to being one month old again. He will always be at least 1 year old.
I am 50 years old. The amount of time that I have wasted is only calculated by the grace of God knowing my every second, and forgiving me. The totality of my years is immersed in God’s mercy, that HE chooses not to remember my past sinful seconds upon seconds, but HE looks at the cross, and then, waits for me in my future.

15
it can be as big or as small as we make it.
Most people can do just about anything for 15 minutes.
The past is gone, do not dwell in it.
The future is not here, do not stress over it.
All we have is the gift of today, that’s why it’s called
the present.

Psalm 90:12 So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom.

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.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

  1. 100 days of moving challenge – day 76
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 25 verses in 52 weeks – Phil 4:8
  4. 90 days Bible Reading – Isaiah – very behind.
  5. 50 days T-Tapp – AL

The First 100 days – day 62 – storms

I have failed to write this blog consistently…and this response is more personal…this is my life.

Life is happening here…but after reading about a friend’s  life…I am reminded of the story about the woman that met with Jesus about how heavy her burdens were.  He showed her the burdens of those around her, that she could not see – and everyone of those that she picked up were too big, too heavy for her.  Then she saw this small burden and asked who’s that was…she was told to pick it up, and she said “it’s so light? Whose is this?”  Yours, my child…

So, life is happening here…I have a disability that makes these difficulties challenging…but, I have a God that is greater than all these things…and I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.

I have to remember, like Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress…the lions are chained.
I haven’t been able to T-Tapp, because for some reason, my energy levels, my strength, my heart rate and my breathing have all continued down hill.  I haven’t even been able to take walks.
I will be taking my walker to Germany, and we are talking about some sort of braces for my ankles.
Apparently, my Fibromyalgia is in rare form, and I’ve had to add Mobix to aid the pain issues.

Other than that, this is all I have to get done:

  • planning the downsizing(Katy Christian Ministries is getting lots and lots of stuff),
  • preparing for the trip(April 18-May 18),
  • doing training for Gabe in prep for Germany(classes and trainers),
  • preparing for the move at the end of May(which has to be ready before I leave for Germany),
  • planning the June trip to Ohio(where I will meet a man that wants to confirm face to face what my father was – as in, validate the memories that have ‘destroyed’ my life), and that trip needs to be planned before I leave for Germany,
  • plan for Faith and Daniel’s visit here in July(because when I get back, I will be too busy moving and vacation to mess with tickets then), and
  • prepare for medical issues that have come up – in the mean time.

I haven’t blogged.
I haven’t kept up with the scripture memorization.
I’m not T-tapping much more than once a week, though sometimes I skin brush
I’m not walking much – energy issues
I’m not checking in here, or encouraging folks on the my initiated 50 challenge, or even doing the second 50 day challenge.
My blood work came back worse…even though I have eaten better, and exercised better during that 3 months. I KNOW that becoming fully diabetic is my fault.  God gave me 7 years…and I failed.
I need to find that money tree…oh right, my God shall provide all my needs….
I’m failing commitments all over.

Anxiety? A little.
Physically – things seem to have gone backwards.
Making progress? definitely…but not as fast, or as well as I’d like…see that noun?

I ‘need’ a foundation…and I have put much of my roots into certain physical things that make me feel at home.  God is shaking those roots…and reminding me that my roots need to be grounded somewhere even deeper…and I KNOW that I will get through this…

BUT – in the mean time…I feel like I am going through an earthquake, hurricane, and forest fire all at the same time.  Sometimes, daily. I need to remember Elijah…in the cave…God is not in all of this, I need to be still, and wait for HIS still small voice.

The problem – when I get still, and hear his still small voice…I DON’T WANT TO LEAVE!!!  I want to stay in HIS presence! LOL, I don’t want to go back to the storms!!!  But, they still keep raging…and I am learning that while there are times that I need to turn my back on the storms, and look into Jesus’ face…apparently, there are times that I need to face the storms…Sometimes, I need to face my enemies…knowing that HE has my back…and when it’s too dangerous, HE will command the storms to cease.

Still, I daily find myself to be human, weak, and struggling with my inabilities.  Technically, in the Biblical and Spiritual world, that means that I am learning that when I am weak, HE is strong.  Military Boot Camp was hard…but I learned my weaknesses, and the Navy showed me how to become strong.  This is like God’s boot camp for me…and I KNOW that I will come out stronger.  I KNOW that HE is with me.  I KNOW that THIS is to help me put off those fleshly rags, and put on the garments that HE purchased for me.

I also KNOW that I should be counting all these things gifts, and rejoicing in these trials, testings…because HE is making me into what HE has planned for me.  I KNOW that I will be better for these things.  But, I also KNOW that I am human. These things hurt, like Eustace’s shedding of the dragon skin – he couldn’t do it alone – Aslan had to use his claws to cut through the layers.  My God, My Christ, My Savior, My redeemer Jesus is answering my prayer to be more like HIM.  right now, HE is clawing through the layers of fleshly baggage…because I can’t do it alone.

Sometimes, my heart holds on to “though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”
Sometimes, I remember “I shall not die, but live to declare the glory of God.”
I’m trying to just stand – simply stand, and wait to see the deliverance of God.
Sometimes, I just acquiesce to the process…which implies some pride still.
I don’t know that I have totally yielded to this process….which probably means I’m not being still. Actually, re-reading that – duh…I haven’t’ yielded yet!

One thing I know – God knows that I am but dust, and still, He will never leave me nor forsake me.
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling…and to present you faultless …FAULTLESS…before the presence of HIS glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God, be glory and majesty, dominion and power both now and ever. Amen.

 

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.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

  1. 100 days of moving challenge – day 62
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 25 verses in 52 weeks – Ps 15:3-5(didn’t set up verse 4)
  4. 90 days Bible Reading – Isaiah – very behind.
  5. 50 days T-Tapp – ???

The First 100 days – day 55 – Hard questions

“Did I mess up so bad that God has removed me from this position?”

“What are we to do when there is no money, and the bills keep going up?

“How can we make it if my husband can’t get a job?”

“Why do I have so much pain, if I’m supposed to be walking for God’s glory?”

I don’t know.

I know WHO knows.

And the bottom line is that His purpose is for us to know him better!

Ps 46:10 Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

This Psalm is my ‘go to’ Psalm for when things go wrong. Ps 46:10 is followed by:

Ps 46:11 The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

That verse closes Psalm 46. It begins with:

Ps 46:1-2 God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear,

God is NOT the God of fear.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We are told that God IS Love:

1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Ps 46 even mentions some of the types of things that we will not fear, as we dwell in God’s love:

  • Ps 46:3-4…though the earth be removed,
  • and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
  • [Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled,
  • [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Ps 46:7 The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

In 1 John 4:18 it says “fear hath torment”

1 John 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

God is greater than our heart…what is the point of saying this?  IF our heart condemns us…WE ARE CONVICTED! And that means we have done something WRONG!  AND GOD IS BIGGER THAN THAT!  This is the point of Jesus coming and dying on the cross…so that we would be delivered from the condemnation of sin!  God knows we are flesh. God knows that we will not be able to walk perfectly. Reading 1 John can give one a pretty heavy guilt trip…because we don’t all know how to read Greek!

God is not worried about mess ups.  He’s the God of building bridges to get the messy ones across! He’s Big enough for that!

God is not worried about besetting sins…those that we are working to put off.  Jesus died for our sins, and gives us grace and mercy to repent, confess our sins, and move on.  He’s BIG enough for that!

Matt 9:5NLT Is it easier to say, `Your sins are forgiven’ or `Get up and walk’?

Willful disobedience. Those that lie, and keep on lying…are Liars. Those that steal, and keep on stealing…are thieves. Those that play around with sex become fornicators and adulterers and whore-mongers.

For me, I know I am walking on dangerous ground when I am tempted to do something that I KNOW is against what God has called me to.  Do I still do that? Ashamedly, yes.  I have disappointed my FATHER, by saying no to something I should have said yes to, or saying yes to something  I knew I should have said no to. Romans 7 really encourages me in this realm.

Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.(read the whole thing at Rom 7:13-25)

1 John 2:1-2 gives us the promise of our Advocate, Jesus Christ, for IF we have sinned.

The truth is, we will sin, but the soft heart wants a right relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ, drawn to conviction by the power of the Holy Spirit.  1 John 1:8 shows me that God KNOWS that we are going to sin…and 1 John 1:9 tells me how to take care of that sin! 1 John 1:10 calls me a liar if I say I have no sin.

In my mind, the point is, I’m to work on not sinning within the light I have at my disposal at the time of the specific event in question.  The main point is that I want to be righteous…having a right relationship with God…at all times.  So, if all sin is confessed, forgiven, and all attempts are made to put that sin down…we stand before the Lord, and He sees us through the blood of His Son, Jesus!

Romans 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Just for clarity – Romans 8:1 comes after Romans 7:24 that says “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” The answer? God! And HE says – there is NO condemnation!

Walking is a movement from one point to another! It is a verb. It is ACTIVE.  We have not arrived, and God doesn’t expect us to have arrived…HE expects us to keep moving on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.(Phil 3:14)

1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God.

1 John 3:22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

And to which commandments does John refer?

1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

Mark 12:30-31 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment. And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Once someone has searched their own hearts…

Ps 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.(a great Psalm, along with Psalm 51 to search your hearts)

…and has that relationship with God restored, then, they need to abide.  This is one of the hardest, yet most precious verses to me.

Ps 91:1-2 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

ABIDE. The responsibility is on ME! Do a word search through the Bible for ABIDE!  We choose to abide with Him, and HE is BIG enough to choose to abide with us!

Ps 46:10 – 11 Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

I don’t know the answers to most questions.  I do know that my only way of making it through this world is to believe in Rom 8:28 with the whole bible applications. There is so much more in Rom 8 – before and after verse 28!

Rom 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

Rom 8:29-30 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. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

In my life, I know that God seems more concerned with working on me to be in the image of Christ, than He is with making me look good in the world’s eyes.

He is more interested in providing for me, than for me to provide for myself.

He is more interested in my heart, than my words or deeds, because, if my heart is right, words and deeds will follow.  Because I recognize that this is HIS plan in my life…above all the little plans that my beady little eyes can see…I can embrace 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.

While we are bieng still, and recognizing that HE is God, and not we ourselves(with a bow to the prayer book), we can learn to sing with the Psalmist:

Ps 46:1-3 God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; [Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled, [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Ps 46:11 The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

Our God is Sovereign.  Our God reigns.  Even when we feel like Job!

***here’s a verse that came up after the writing of this blog.  It fits perfectly, so I am putting it here:

1 Pet 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Another purpose for God’s trials for us…JOY!

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.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or ‘like’ me!
Or follow me with the RSS feed.

  1. 100 days of moving challenge – day 54 – SATI
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 25 verses in 52 weeks – Ps 15:3-5
  4. 90 days Bible Reading – Isaiah
  5. 50 days T-Tapp – starting a new one – day 5

The First 100 Days – Day 54 – an old poem

This is a poem that I wrote in October 1988.

Father,
Let me enter in
to the throne room again.
Touch the coal to my lips,
make me burn again.
Father, forgive me for
wallowing in my sin,
Pick me up, heal me,
bring me home again.

(c)1988 M. Christine Wildman, all rights reserved.

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.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

  1. 100 days of moving challenge – day 54 – workout with Kirsten
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 25 verses in 52 weeks – Ps 15:3-5
  4. 90 days Bible Reading – Song of Solomon
  5. 50 days T-Tapp – starting a new one – day 4

The First 100 days – Day 53 – Reputation?

This morning, I opened my email to get this message from The Pocket Testament League:

God at Work.

Dear Christine,

Do you have a reputation for sharing the Gospel? Mallorie in Aurora, Colorado, does! Here’s the story she posted to our website recently:

“At my workplace, I have been giving out the Gospels of John to people. A couple days ago, I ran across a coworker at the shopping center. He is a Christian, but he is having difficult times, and he told me he wanted to get closer to God. I asked him how is his daily readings with the Bible, and he said it wasn’t good, but he was told that I had given someone the Gospel of John. So now he’s reading the Gospel of John booklet!”

Mallorie was right to ask her coworker about his daily Bible reading. When we read the Bible each day, we grow closer to God, because it’s through His Word that His Spirit draws us. It’s through His Word that we learn of and are reminded of God’s love for us in Jesus. The small, attractive Gospel booklets are great tools to use to bring people back into the habit of reading the Bible every day.

The League has designed daily devotions to help you read the Bible faithfully. Each weekday, we’ll send a short Bible-centered devotion, along with a word on how you can apply the reading to your life. To find out more and sign up, simply go to Daily Devotionals on our website.

In Christ,

Mike Brickley
President

P.S. Get a reputation for sharing the Gospel with others. Keep a supply of booklets with you so you can hand one to the person who has heard that you gave the Gospel to someone else! You can order on our website at Order Gospels.

This weekend, we met several people at the RV Park. I was an evangelist for three things:

The Story of Texas Museum

The Story of Texas Museum

The Story of Texas Museum

Story of Texas Star

From Inside the Museum

AND

Escapees RV Club

I also was an evangelist for putting scripture on the walls of your home.

Names of the Lord

The Names of the Lord

Jer 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11

But not once did I inquire about a person’s relationship with Jesus.  Oh, I wore witnessing T-Shirts…the chicken’s way of evangelizing.  Not once did I turn the discussion to Jesus.  AND – it used to be that EVERY conversation I had, I turned so that I knew what that person’s relationship with Jesus was, and how to pray for them.

What happened?  I wouldn’t have thought so, but I guess my fire went out.  When I talked about the museum, I was insistent that these Canadians go and check it out!  Now, they have left my life, and while they DID go and check out the story of Texas, and enjoyed it very much, I don’t know if they know the story of Jesus – which brings joy unspeakable.  I was excited to talk to someone about the Escapees RV club, and meet ups, and what to do with the RV, but not once did I inquire in any way about their spiritual well being.  I used to have the reputation that I always knew where people stood with the Lord.  I had the reputation that if someone spoke with me for any time, they knew where I stood, and knew that I would be praying for them.  I used to have the reputation of handing out salvation gifts…tracts, bracelets, my own cards.  But this weekend, and embarrassingly enough, for many weekends, I did NOT represent.

I don’t believe it’s wrong to share common interests, but I AM the representative of Jesus wherever I go.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

1 Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

1 Pet 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

There are so many ways to let someone know that you represent SOMEONE.

  • When giving a tip at a restaurant, leave a card with the MONEY tip.
  • Have a ‘business’ card letting people know who you stand for.
  • Having tracts to share that fit with common topics that come up in conversation
  • Plan of salvation bookmarks, cards, like the colors of salvation
  • Having pocket Bibles to give as gifts

There are SO MANY tools we can use here in the USA…where no one is allowed to harm us for our beliefs.  And yet, I tremble and fear.  And I am embarrassed that I fear man more than I fear God.  I am embarrassed that I fear what man can’t do to me more than I fear for the souls of the persons I meet.  This is NOT the heart of Jesus.

2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

That is a wonderful heart.  But today, the beauty for me is the first part of this verse…

…but is longsuffering to us-ward,

God knows me…and He knows each of us.  I used to think that if I didn’t share the gospel with someone, they’d go to hell.  That’s another post…about how one plants a seed another waters.  But I would share the gospel out of a guilt that if I didn’t, who would?  I can’t entrust someone else’s salvation to someone else that may have a problem sharing just like me!  But the point is…we are all along a journey, and we are all in God’s hands, and HE is orchestrating this whole thing.  The purpose is NOT to condemn myself, but to quicken the Holy Spirit within, do a heart check, and plan ahead.

So – Where are you with Jesus?

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.

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