Christmas Remembrances

As the lovely season of Christmas approaches, most widows find this is a season of mixed emotions.  They remember wonderful times spent with their loved ones, and sometimes the memories turn sad as we miss them and things we once did together.  Decorating homes and Christmas trees are not the same when we do it alone, and other family rituals no longer seem the same.  This may be a good time to start new traditions and plan new things with friends, perhaps with new friends.  

There are times family relationships are strained because our loved ones are no longer present, and we don't feel accepted as we once were when we shared family times with our mates. No one understands the feelings of grief as the widow feels for her husband, though parents, siblings, children, grandchildren and other family members also grieve in their own ways for the loss of their family member.   There are times when decisions were made at the time of death with which other family members may have disagreed.

Miriam Neff in her book "From One Widow to Another" has listed seven tips "For those who've experienced loss and those who love them."

• Please say, "I remember." We love to hear tender, funny and interesting things from your perspective.
•  Let go of your expectations - yourself and others.
• Be willing to flex from traditions. Changes are not necesssarily permanent and things will be different anyway.
• Guard your heart from your ears. You will hear people say things that you shouldn't take personally.
• Prepare for the unexpected, both positive and negative. Remembering a favorite dish that does not need to be prepared, an item that needn't be purchased, an empty chair, will occur when we least expect it.
• Make a memory. For example, for Christmas, create an ornament with the person's name and a word that describes them, or simply a picture.
• Try something new, lighthearted and fun.

There are many more creative things we might try to make our holidays more enjoyable, and less lonely.  Getting together with others who may not have families is always a blessing to each one. If you have a family member and can share with someone who has no one, it would be a blessing for each of you to share your day. I realize this is a different situation, but I remember when my eldest son was in College, I lived about an hour away, and he and his younger brother who worked away from home brought friends to share our holiday dinners. These were always very special.  One year we had a mini-United Nations, as we had students from North, South, East and West, as well as an Exchange Student from Germany.  They were memorable times for each of us.  I also came across a lovely quote in an Angel Magazine, "Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened."  Let's all enjoy our precious memories of our loved ones.

For those of who do not attend Calvary, we have a lovely "Holiday Service of Remembrance" that is open to you. It is a special service to honor the memory of loved ones who passed away. If you would like to join us, we request that you bring a framed picture of your mate so that all may share in your remembrance.  If you would like his name to appear on a memorial list to be displayed during the service, please let me know. The service will be Sunday, December 18 at 6:30 PM in the Sanctuary. I'll be happy to contact the church with the name of your husband to be included in the Memorial, and I will plan to be with any of you who wish to attend. 

This is truly the Season to celebrate the Birth of our Blessed Lord Jesus, the Light of the World.  Let the world see His Light shining through you as you celebrate this year. Let's all remember to draw close to Jesus to celebrate His birth, not forget Him in the midst of our preparations.  Remember always to seek His loving Presence. Ps. 16:11 says "In His Presence is fullness of joy; at His right hand, pleasures forevermore."  I pray for the Joy of His Loving Presence to be with you and your familes as you celebrate His birth this Christmas. His Presence is more precious than any presents we can give or receive.

A Blessed and Holy Christmas to all of you.

Look Up!

Several months ago we talked about the storms and disasters our nation and the world have been experiencing in the past year. The drought of the century continues in Texas, civil unrest and lawlessness is moving across many cities in our nation, threats of terrorism are on-going, and a greater threat of war seems to be looming closer in the mid-east and Israel. Nation is rising upon nation across the mid-east, Africa, and Europe. Everyone is beginning to feel an end of the world system as we have known it is is fast approaching.

When Jesus was asked by His apostles, "When shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world?",  Jesus gave a discourse called "The Olivet Discourse" which outlines many of the things that have been coming to pass with greater rapidity in the past several years. He spoke of signs in the sun, moon and stars, and on earth, distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and waves roarring. Men's hearts failing them for fear. In Luke 21:28, Jesus said, "And when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads for your redemption draws near."

Throughout the Bible, the Lord gives us lessons from nature, from the trees, seeds, birds, the ant, and others. I recently came across other examples that remind me of the way we humans sometimes act. Think about the BUZZARD - Did you know, if you put a buzzard in a 6' by 8' pen that is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be a prisoner? The reason is that a buzzard begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10' x 12'. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

The BAT - The ordinary bat that flies around at night is a remarkable creature in the air, but it cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and painfully, until it reaches a slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then it takes off like a flash.

The BUMBLEBEE - If a bumblebee is dropped into an open tumbler, it will be there until it dies unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find a way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

PEOPLE - In many ways, we are like the buzzard, bat or the bumblebee.  We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is "LOOK UP!"  Look up to our Lord Jesus - He is our Answer to every problem and care.  Unlike the enemy of our souls, who looks for a tiny way of entry, our Lord Jesus waits for us to come to Him. He will never push Himself onto us, but is always a Gentleman who waits for us to open the door of our hearts to allow Him entrance.

Let's not be like the buzzard, bat or bumblebee who is used to doing things one way. Open up your heart wide today, look up, and seek His way and His answers.  He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6)  LOOK UP, for our Redemption is drawing closer and closer.

Steppingstone or Tombstone?

Recently I encountered several people who've been in situations that left them feeling lost and wounded.  Our widows each experienced loss. Losing a mate is life-changing. We've all had hurts,  abuses and disappointments.  Do you still feel unforgiveness, anger, resentment, or bitterness? Do you feel what has happened is unfair?  We all had wounds, sometimes by those we love the most. Yet, I  believe we have choices in how we react.

A quote I came across recently from Dr. Linda Mintle was, "Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you dislike live rent-free in your head." C. S. Lewis made a statement quoted in Mere Christianity: Everyone says that forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.

This week I received a clip from an old appearance by Corrie ten Boom on The 700 Club. The book and movie, "The Hiding Place" were made about her life. During WW II, she and her family harbored Jews in their home in Holland. When they were discovered, her family was imprisoned by the Nazis. She and her sister Betsie were the sole survivors in their family, but Betsie died of malnutrition shortly before the end of the war. Corrie was to be exterminated, but was released and began a world-wide ministry of preaching and teaching. One day after a meeting Corrie met the German guard who had been most abusive to her and Betsie. He held out his hand saying he was now a Christian. Corrie had a moment to choose how to act. She remembered Romans 5:5, God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who He has given us. At that moment she was able to reach out to the German guard, now her brother in Christ, in forgiveness for the atrocities he committed against her and her beloved sister.

I was also given a book recently called The Forgiveness Project by Dr. Michael S. Barry, Director of Pastoral Care at Cancer Treatment Centers in Philadelphia. It is fascinating showing startling  discoveries that the immune system and forgiveness are connected. He cited case studies identifying and overcoming barriers that prevented healing and peace. He also mentioned myths many believe. One I felt quite interesting was Forgiveness = Reconciliation.  Untrue. Forgiveness involves one person: you. Reconciliation involves two or more people. To reconcile means "to reestablish a close relationship between" or "to settle or resolve."  In death I have seen where family members disagreed with funeral arrangements. They became embittered because they felt services should have been handled differently. The widow was faithful to her husband's wishes.  In this situation, the widow must choose to forgive the family members regardless of what the others do. Unforgiveness hurts only one person, the one who holds onto it. Dr. Barry's patients described feeling incredible peace after seeing they were not responsible for anyone but their own choice to forgive.

A good book for widows was written by Miriam Neff, From One Widow to Another - Conversations on the New You.  She talks about some myths about friendship. Myth #1 - Friends understand what you experience. No - Does anyone know how you feel when you go into an empty cold bed at night? Do they stare in the refrigerator and realize they don't even know the kind of food they like?

Another myth she mentioned was: All types of friends have your best interests at heart. Not true. We have friends who love and accept us. They love us with no agenda. Others who were friends when we were a couple no longer have anything in common with us. There are other so-called friends who are really "users". We need to be very wary of them. For those of you who have this book, you can find Miriam's entire chapter on Friends in Chapter Six.   I have copies if anyone needs one.  It is a book written by a widow that expresses many things most of us feel.  Her website "The Widow Connecton" is attached to this Blog under Other Resources.

Each one of us has our own story and challenges. Yet there are similarities in what we experience. However, a huge key is our need to forgive and go on to the next door the Lord opens. Like me, Miriam has had many new experiences. I never dreamed I would see Israel - but I have ~~ or go to China and countries in the Orient. God opened doors and I was in several countries six times. Other doors have opened to me, and though I am not anxious to travel at this time, I look forward to the biggest one - when the Lord Jesus calls His children home.

Meanwhile, we each have our own choice to make: Will we allow what someone else thinks or does be a Tombstone and hinder us from the good things God has - or will we choose to use them as a Steppingstone to new adventures? Like Don Piper who was dead 90 minutes in a head-on collision and raised up, spoke about finding his New Normal. He lives in intense pain after being hospitalized more than a year, but he travels and shares his story. My life has been rewarding.  Do you want to find yours?  Take God's Steppingstone into your New Normal.

He Heals the Brokenhearted

He heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and assigns each a name. Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; we'll never comprehend what He knows.  Psalm 147.3-5 (The Message Bible)

In the past few weeks we experienced an earthquake and Hurricane Irene in our area. The name Irene means "Peaceful", but Hurricane Irene sent forth quite a bit of wind and rain and did not seem very Peaceful. However, most of us here were extremely blessed and protected. My sons were concerned about my being "alone" during the storm. I am never alone, because my loving caring Shepherd has been with me for many years now, and I know He won't let me down now. However, to give them peace, I went to be with friends. Praise the Lord, my electricity kept the sump pump working to keep water out. Others to our north and south were not as blesssed. We do not know what further storms we will face in the future.  Katia is brewing and another storm is hitting our southern states. All we can do is Hide under the Shelter of our God's Mighty presence and promises.

I recently saw a quote "Friends are like flowers in the garden of life." This morning I received news that a dear friend has gone home to be with the Lord. One of our widows lost a loving sister recently. Because of our faith in our Loving Redeemer, we can know that we will one day be able to rejoin them and our loving mates in the Lord's Garden of Life where we will be with our Saviour and all our loved ones forever.  Our Lord assures us there will be no more sorrow or death there, only Life Forever More.  Sometimes our time seems to pass quickly; at other times not so fast. In the light of eternity when we are all together with our Maker, our struggles and trials here will seem like a wink in the night.

Let's choose to love and cherish our family and friends while we have each other. Stand together in God's precious word and promises, praying for one another and being ready to love, forgive and encourage our loved ones while we can.  As we look forward to our meeting next week, let's remember ~~

Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20, 21)

In Jesus love and mine,
Dee

JESUS ~ Our Shelter In Midst of Storms

This has been an unprecedented year for storms and disasters of a magnitude most of us could never imagine.  From the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan, flooding in the mid-section of our country, droughts that rival the great dust bowl, 100+ degree temperatures in numerous areas that do not usually experience such extremes, tornadoes in areas not accustomed to them, destruction of the hospital and a great deal of the City of Joplin, Missouri, to name just a few. Others experience job loss, life-threatening illnesses, and many other tragedies. Most of us  know the devastating loss of a spouse and face loneliness, depression and storms from many unexpected sources.

Where do you think Jesus is in the midst of our storms? Moses experienced a wonderful place of God's Shelter. The Lord told him, There is a place near Me where you may stand on a rock. When My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Exodus 33:21-22.

The apostles experienced storms too. In Mark 4 Jesus gave the Parable of the Sower. Mark's gospel continues: On the same day, when evening had come, Jesus said to them, 'Let us cross over to the other side.' Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. A great windstorm arose, and waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?' Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?' And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, 'Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!' Mark 4:35-41

Jesus had a busy day and was tired. He told the apostles to "cross over to the other side." Jesus knew they would get to the other side because He was aware His Father wanted the demon possessed man delivered when they got to the other side. Yet the enemy decided to throw a storm to try to divert them from God's plan. Don't you think the same enemy still tries to divert us from God's plans for us?  The apostles had no idea they were going to witness the radical truth that when Christ speaks to storms outside and inside the human heart, both must obey.

Jesus has spoken several words to us about His Peace.  He said: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)  Later, Jesus told His apostles He would leave them, but not to fear. He would send His Holy Spirit to be with them.  He added, These things I have spoken to you, that in Me, you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33).

Jesus' apostles would later learn they would share the good news of Christ with the world, experience many tribulations, and their peace in the face of extreme opposition was the mark that truly set them apart from the world. Can we also experience the Peace of Jesus in the midst of our troubling storms?

God's Word says in numerous places we can. Here are a few: Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble (fear, or be afraid - in some translations) Psalm 119:165.  I experienced this Scripture in the midst of an extremely challenging job situation some years ago.

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3,4. 

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. Col. 3:15.  The Amplified Version of the Bible translates this verse like this: And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from the Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts -- deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds -- (in that peaceful state) to which (as members of Christ's) one body, you were also called (to live). And be thankful--appreciative, giving praise to God always.

I know some of you have shared how the Peace of God was with you in situations everyone else thought impossible. One widow shared in our group she had such a Peace from the Lord soon after the passing of her husband that friends and family were amazed. She knew Jesus Himself was her peace in her midst at that time. I am sure the Holy Spirit will remind many of you of a particular situation in which the Peace of Jesus so enveloped you that you blessed others who tried to comfort you.  

Our God is Mighty, full of love and faithful.  His word tells us in Lamentations 3:22-23 His tender mercy and compassions do not fail. They are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness.  My prayer for each of you is that His Peace will flow over and through you as Mighty Rivers in the midst of all your storms, for, He will never ever leave or forsake us. He is our ever-present help in our storms or during our times of trouble (Ps. 46:1). 

Be encouraged in Christ's love and everlasting faithfulness.  Please join us at our meeting Thursday, August 11 at 6:30 PM at the Calvary Prayer Room.

He is your Shelter in the midst of all your storms, too!

Love and hope in Him,
Dee

NO Problem Is Too Large For Our Mighty God

I recently received a Post Card saying, "There is NO problem too large for God!"  This excited me because I know all of us widows have MANY challenges, from not enough funds to go month to month, family relationship problems, illnesses, things in our homes that need sudden repairs or replacement, (and wondering who we can trust to come into our homes and not overcharge us),  peace when we feel alone and have no one with whom to celebrate our holidays, hope when we need new hope for a new day, and so many concerns like these and many others I am sure most of you can add.  We discussed some of these items at our last meeting, and are praying for the Lord to bring people into our lives who enjoy doing odd jobs for us at a nominal cost.

I shared with the ladies at our last meeting how I had what I thought was a slight leak, and was told by a plumber it would need to be broken through to my bedroom in the next room, to the tune of around $1,000.   My friend suggested I cancel the appointment I had tentatively made and her kind husband looked at it over the weekend, as it was not an emergency.  He found there was a small part that the company sent a replacement part to him "as a courtesy".  I paid him for his time and kindness, but saved a LOT of money I did not have to dip into ever-lowering reserve funds.  Such friends are rare, and we pray more younger men in our churches will step up to the plate and volunteer to serve the ladies in a way they need so greatly.  Plus the blessing for all is incalculable, for God's word in James exhorts the Body of Christ to minister to widows and orphans in need.  Praise the Lord,  most of us have some income, though at times expensive repairs and replacements put a great dent in the budget.

Miriam Neff in her book From One Widow to Another addresses the problem of many friends who no longer want to continue friendships with us when our mates are no longer with us.  This is a concern for many.  After many years of being widowed, in my present church I have friends who do include me in their picnics and activities.   A group of nine of us recently attended an evening at a small theater in Rehoboth Beach for an evening of "Words and Music By Gershwin."  It was a delightful time, and the four brothers and five ladies were equally blessed by our mutual time together, with a delicious meal in which we all brought something to share.  It was a memorable evening for all, and I wonder how many other couples might think of a lonely widow as my friends have done. 

Meanwhile, I feel the Lord leading me to share a bit of the new study book our Well Spring Bible Study Group will soon start, called The Shelter of God's Promises by Sheila Walsh.  Many of us have witnessed many broken promises in the past, many of which we experience as a widow. Our Lord Jesus is altogether FAITHFUL, and He Himself is our Promise.  One lady wrote to Sheila saying, "I would not have made it this far without the promises of God."  I am sure most of us have had many things happen in which our Blessed Saviour and Redeemer made a huge difference. 

The first chapter is entitled: "Promises, Promises ~~ I Need Something to Hold On To."  God is not a man that He could lie, and He promises in 2 Corinthians 1:20, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through Him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God."  God says, "YES!" and we say, "AMEN (may it be so)!"   Let's think about that.  When we agree that He and His Word are TRUTH, we say "Amen" to receive His mighty promise.  One quote Sheila has in her book, "This is the shelter of all God's promises: God not only keeps His promises, but He longs to keep us in them." That is delightful, but sometimes friends may get very sick, or even die. Our husbands did, and I'm sure we all prayed for them.  Though Romans 8:28 can be very hurtful to hear when we go through a huge loss, such as the loss of our beloved mate, that may seem difficult to believe.  Yet, after many years in this walk, I can assure you that I've had lots of challenges, and some are still there, but God uses each one as He promises for His Glory.  It usually takes us a while for us to recognize them, but I KNOW, when we see more clearly from God's viewpoint when we reach our Heavenly home, we too will see just how many times He was with us to help us in ways difficult to comprehend now, but all will be clear one of these days. 

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Cor. 13:12), and "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor. 3:18) and Jesus precious friend while He was on earth, John, wrote in 1 John 3:2: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."    WOW!  

Jesus' friend Peter also wrote (in 2 Peter 1:3, 4) not long before he was martyred for his faith, "According as His divine power has given unto us ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye (YOU and ME) might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."   WOW!  WOW!

So really, is there ANY problem too large for God?    I say a resounding "NO!"   We will continue to stand in prayer for each other for God's answers when they seem to be too impossible for even Him, but as I am learning, (and I STILL learn something new every single day), I encourage you to keep on believing, trusting, and hiding in the Shelter of God's Promises with me.

I pray you can join us Thursday July 14 at 6:30 at the Calvary Prayer Room for our Widow's Might meeting, and also, if you can join us at my home at 6:30 the previous Thursday, July 7, for our Heaven Study that we are beginning to see come to an end in several short months.   Please join us when you can.  You are welcome, and we look forward to seeing you at either or both gatherings.

Love, prayers and multitudes of Blessings to all, and May God Bless AMERICA!

Dee

CHERISHING FRIENDSHIPS

Friends are one of the greatest blessings of my life. It has brought me much joy to be able to meet and make new friends in our Widow's Might group.  I know there is always a friend to call when I feel it would be nice to chat with someone. I pray all in our lovely group feel the same.  If one meeting does not seem enough for you, I also have a small group meeting in my home on the 1st Thursday of the month.  For sometime now we are doing a delightful study of Heaven.  All of us look forward to meeting our Lord Jesus one of these days, but most of us also have a very precious someone  also waiting for our arrival.

The study of Heaven has been exciting, and with so much devastating news in our world and nation today, Heaven is an important topic to bring new joy and anticipation into our hearts. I also enjoy reading books like Don Piper's "Ninety Minutes in Heaven" and Todd Burpo's "Heaven is for Real."  The latter is a precious story of a four-year old little guy, Colton who, after a medical misdiagnosis and ruptured appendix, had a visit with Jesus in heaven. He saw His Throne, sat on the Father's lap, met his grandfather, "Pop" who died when his Dad was a boy, and met a big sister he never knew about. He described her as being bigger than his sister Cassie, but with dark hair like Mother's. Colton and Cassie are blonde like their Dad.  He described Heaven in a way that parallels the Book of Revelation, though he had not learned about it before his personal tour of Heaven. To me the most exciting aspect of Colton's visit was his description of Jesus. He said, "Dad, Jesus had 'Markers'", and was asked where, he pointed to his hands and the tops of his feet. His 'Markers' are indeed the scars He still holds for the redemption which He purchased for us on the Cross.

The last several weeks I have also been reminded by the Lord's covenant promise of the Rainbow as given to Noah as a sign of His everlasting love. I have been honored to receive the gift of rainbows at very special times in my life, and this week I received a video of one taken shortly after the terribly devestating tornado that hit Joplin, MO. In the midst of great tragedy, God has the mercy and love to give His people a sign He has never abandoned them, and is always with them.

As I pray with patients in the Hospital, I am often reminded of God's promises in numerous places in the Bible that He will NEVER EVER Leave nor Forsake us.   What a comforting thought.  After all, Jesus is the very best friend any of us can ever have. He is there when we feel alone, or when we are with friends. Whenever two or more are gathered in His precious Name, He's right there in our midst. He's also our Husband, according to Isaiah 54:5. I know He has certainly taken beautiful care of my children. When my boys were growing up, I often was reminded where he says, "He will feed His flock like a shepherd, He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young."  Isaiah 40:11.  How I cherished those words as I tried to train up my young sons to be men of God without their Daddy. Yet their Precious Shepherd was holding them in His strong arms and leading me so graciously.

A number of ladies in our fellowship are caring for grandchildren as well as their own children, and I feel the joy to encourage and let you know His promises are here for all of us. I am also beginning a new study about "The Shelter of God's Promises." The first promise in the study is 2 Corinthians 1:20, "For ALL the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him AMEN, to the glory of God through us." He gives us His promises, saying "YES," and we receive them all by saying, "AMEN!"

May all of you be greatly blessed as we look for His loving presence, whether in the rainbows, or in His precious Word. He is always with us, and desires to manifest Himself to us as we obey and seek His Presence and His Word.  I look forward to seeing you at the Calvary Prayer Room for our meeting on Thursday, June 9 at 6:30 PM.  May all be blessed by our loving Shepherd who's always ready to carry His lambs in His loving arms.

With Jesus love and mine,    Dee

Walking By Faith

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

How often do we wish we could see what lies ahead for us. With disasters multiplying around our states, from fires and droughts in various areas of Texas, tornadoes of epic proportions throughout many, flooding in others, if we did not know our Faithful Father is with us, we might want to give up. Yet our God promises to be with us always, even when we do not feel He is. Yet we must choose to walk by faith in Who He is, what He has told us in His Word, not in what we see or do not see.

During the past several years we have lost many strong leaders of our faith, and this week another went to his eternal reward. Pastor David Wilkerson of Time Square Church of New York City and Founder of Teen Challenge died this past week. He was a powerful leader and influenced countless lives for the Kingdom of God. Yet his legacy goes on in the countless lives changed by the many chapters of Teen Challenge all over. On the morning of his sudden death, he wrote what I sense was a prophetic devotional entitled "When All Means Fail". I'd like to quote below the last two paragraphs:

To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word. Weeping will last through some dark, awful nights--and in that darkness you will soon hear the Father whisper, "I am with you. I cannot tell you why right now, but one day it will all make sense. You will see it was all part of My plan. It was no accident. It was no failure on your part. Hold fast. Let Me embrace you in your hour of pain." 

Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means fail--His love prevails. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in His Word. There is no other hope in this world.

Often as we walk through our valley experiences, we feel completely shaken. Yet God never changes or  fails to keep His Word (though we sometimes wonder where He is--remember those clouds we shared about in a previous Blog.). Spending time in God's presence, listening for His Holy Spirit to open His Word  helps our minds become renewed (Rom. 12:2). The Greek word for "renewed" here is the same root word as "transfigured" when Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John in Matthew 17. His face shone as the sun and His clothes were white as the light. This happens to our spirits when we spend time in His loving presence. In the book of Acts, though people knew Peter was an uneducated fisherman, they also realized he had been with Jesus because of the wisdom with which he spoke.

God's precious words also give us strength as we wait upon Him and spend time in His Word. Isaiah 40:31 assures us "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint."  Don't we all need new strength and ability to get above the mundane and soar as the eagle in the loving presence and grace of God? I remember a preacher asking the question, "Are you going to be a turkey picking out your grain to eat, or an eagle soaring above all the other turkeys"? I'd like to be an Eagle, how about you?

For those in this area, I look forward to your joining us at our next meeting on Thursday May 12 at 6:30 in the Prayer Room at Calvary Assembly of God.

Until we see you, I pray, "The Lord bless and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace." Number 6:24-26

Love in Christ,  
Dee

SHOWERS OF BLESSING

We hear "April Showers bring May flowers." We already see daffodils, narcissus, forsythia, hyacinth, and  flowering pear, cherry and apple trees in profusion. How lovely and fragrant after the long cold winter. Tulips are also coming, though not yet in bloom, and many other varieties that radiate God's glory. This is also a time of many showers - Yes, I am believing they are God's showers of blessing for all of us. His blessings come to us through many of God's chariots, some do not appear as welcome as others. The rains and winds have felt extremely cold even after Spring officially arrived on our calendars. We've had a few days that felt like Spring, but most feel much colder.Yet the season of Spring proclaims the coming celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior and Redeemer.

Years ago Carmen sang a song about how the evil one and his demons danced and rejoiced when Jesus was  crucified and lay in the tomb. They did not know that no grave was strong enough to hold our Mighty Lord Jesus - and He rose victoriously to show us the way to everlasting life with Him. Things may look dark, but remember, "Sunday's Coming!"

We see more and more darkness these days as we see news of more devastating earthquakes in diverse places, tsunamis, nuclear leaks, wars and rumors of wars all over. Jesus said in Matthew 24 that all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. However, signs of the end are certainly beginning to come rapidly together.

Those who love their God will be mighty and do exploits for His Kingdom (Dan. 11:32). Daniel was a wonderful example of this. He was taken from his home and family as a young teen and trained in Babylon. Yet in the midst of a pagan culture, Daniel remained faithful to his God and was entrusted to serve many kings and kingdoms while always being true to God. He walked in the blessings of his Lord during his long life. Even when his enemies tried to find something wrong in his life they could find nothing. They tricked King Darius into signing a proclamation that no one should pray to anyone but to the King. Yet Daniel remained faithful to God and prayed three times a day as always. For doing this, he spent a night in a den of hungry lions. God protected him, but those who accused him were torn apart. God has a way of protecting those who place their trust in Him.  (Proverbs 3:5, 6).

Not only does he protect them, but He blesses them. In blessing His children, God gives the capacity to live full rich lives filled with His grace to empower and bless us. When He created the first man, Adam, the first thing He did was to bless him (Genesis 1:28). Too bad he and Eve chose to believe the devil instead of God and chose to sin. But Jesus came to redeem us from sin and death.

As we look forward to celebrating Christ's resurrection this month, let's fill our hearts with thanks and praise for all His abundant showers of blessings, and not dwell too much on the precious loved ones we have lost.  We will one day, maybe sooner than we think, be with them and our Blessed Redeemer.

"It is He Who visits the earth and waters it. He greatly enriches it. The river of God is full of water; You provide their grain. For so You have prepared it. You water its ridges abundantly. You settle its furrows. You make it soft with Showers; You bless its growth." (Psalm 65:9-10).

Enjoy a Blessed Resurrection Celebration.  Please join us for "The Choice" being put on by Calvary to celebrate Jesus this wonderful season (from April 20-24) and meet with us at The Widow's Might Thursday evening at 6:30 - April 14 in the Prayer Room.

With the Lord's Love and Showers of Blessings,
Dee

SPRINGING INTO SPRING ~~~

"There is an appointed time for everything. . . a time to weep and a time to laugh. . . " Eccl. 3:1, 4

They say Spring is here.  Some days I believe it's true.  We see daffodils and early Spring flowers pushing up from the hard soil. A few days the temperatures have actually reached 70 degrees, but the next they drop into the 30's.  Yet Spring is definitely in the air.  When it's chilly I like to stay in, wrapped in a warm afghan.  I thank God for good friends with whom to exercise or run errands together.  It's much more delightful than going out alone in the cold, and so good to have friends with whom to chat and laugh. Our Lord Jesus speaks to us in Song of Solomon 2:10-12, "Rise up, my beloved, my fair one, and come away. For the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers are springing up, and the time of singing birds has come, even the cooing of turtledoves."  How encouragimg to hear those wonderful songs of Spring.

February has been a time of bittersweet memories for many.  I remember how grateful I was to be able to pull off the month of February from my calendar and see the hope of  March, even with its winds.  And the March winds came early this year. I recently heard how the Lord had given an insight into the supernatural, that blowing winds can be signs of angelic presence. Sometimes when the realm of the Kingdom starts coming in and there is a lot of angelic activity, we can initially see winds beginning to blow on earth. When Jesus spoke with Nicodemus (in John 3:8), "Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit.":

As I pondered this, I felt the Spirit of the Lord quicken to me the amount of angelic activity surrounding the coming of Christ to the earth over 2000 years ago. God sent an angelic messenger to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist; to Mary, that she would be the mother of Jesus; to Joseph to have no fear in taking Mary as his wife; to the Shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem announcing the Birth of the Son of God; to the Magi being instructed to go another way from Herod; then to Joseph telling him to flee to Egypt with Mary and the child Jesus; and then instructing him when it was safe for their return to Israel. 

Our awesome God is always with us, wooing and drawing us to invite Him into our hearts for a deeper more personal relationship with Him. He will never force us, but is always ready to hear our deepest heart's cry. "Trust in Him with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."  (Proverbs 3:5, 6).  We can be assured they will be His best pathways for us. He knows what's best for us far better than we can even know it ourselves. After all, He created us and knows all our innermost thoughts and greatest needs.

Sometime ago the phrases "This too shall pass" or "It came to pass" stood out to me as I read God's wonderful words.  No matter what difficulty comes our way it did not come to stay, but for us to pass through it victoriously.   Psalm 23 says "when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we can fear no evil, for our God is with us."  The important thing is we go through the valley of the shadow - and a shadow is not real; it's only a phantom, an imperfect imitation or copy.  Therefore, God wants us to walk with confidence in Him and His wonderful care for us His children, even through valleys or shadows. And yes, always remember, they did not come to stay, but they came to pass.

As the angelic messengers were extremely active prior to Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, I sense He is preparing us for His coming soon again for His bride, the church.  Never have the signs been so active that the nations are groaning with travail, the huge numbers of wars, famines, earthquakes, floods and other signs coming with greater rapidity than ever before.   So I sense we must get ready to welcome our King who will soon be returning to reclaim His children.  He says in Revelation 22, "Yes, I am coming soon!"  Let us be ready to welcome Him and call,  "Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!"

A Blessed Springtime, ladies, and I hope you can join us at the Calvary Prayer Room next Thursday, March 10 at 6:30 for our March meeting.

Love in Christ, Dee

Finding Hope in the Darkness

It's February already.   Where did January go?  Mother used to tell me time went faster as you grew older, and I believe her.  As a child, Christmas, birthdays, and holidays seemed so far away. Now even children say school just began, it's time for Fall, Christmas, Spring and Easter breaks, and then another summer vacation. Yet February is such a dark cold month, and I believe we've had our share of ice and snow this year.  I'm so grateful we are not in areas where they have had so much more. My heart goes out to them, but I usually feel cold. Yet Puxatawney Phil tells us we're to have an early Spring. I pray he's right.

I read a sweet story of a dad and his little guy playing a game of "Hide and Seek" in the dark. When the boy found his Dad, he called out, "I Found You, Dad" when all the time his Dad was waiting for his little guy to find him to run and hide in his warm loving arms. Isn't that just like our God when it seems dark and He seems so far away? Yet, as we seek Him, his Word tells us we will find Him. When we do, his big arms are there waiting to embrace and fill us - and we realize He was there all the time just waiting for us to come to Him.  We must remember He's a gentleman and never forces us; He quietly waits for us to come to Him.

I often recall when days seems to grow dark so quickly and nights seem long, when I'd get into a plane on a dark cloudy day. As the plane rose, we'd go through the clouds, and soon there was the glorious sun shining in all its glory. So we also find God in the clouds. Psalm 97:2 says: "Clouds and darkness are round about Him." We are simply unable to feel or see His Presence, but because of His faithful word to us, He is there.

As this cold winter seems so long, yet is passing quickly by, I remember the phrase in the Bible I often see, "It came to pass". It is not here to stay. So our sad times seem very heavy on our hearts; yet God says there is "A time to be born, a time to die; a time to plant, a time to pluck what is planted; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance" (Eccl. 3:2, 4). 

My Pastor Son Joel called last evening; he also works as a Counselor at a prison in KS. The previous evening he'd wished his fellow-counselor a safe evening as they left work, and headed home to his family. He had not gone far when he saw rescue vehicles racing toward him, and learned yesterday morning that his friend Rick was killed as he drove not far behind Joel. A car turned into a road without looking or seeing Rick's car and overturned it, and it is believed he was killed instantly. The Prison staff and inmates were in shock because Rick was a highly respected 25 year State employee, a single dad to his 16-year old daughter, whom he supported at her games and school activities. My son was shaken, as he'd passed that way a short time earlier, and the loss of his friend and co-worker was a shocking and grieving experience.

Time is short, and I know all of you relate with the loss of a loved one, and I ask you to join me in prayer for that young lady and all who are grieving this man's loss. We too know death often comes suddenly when we  least expect it is near for one close to us. Let's cherish our loved ones, friends and families and be grateful for what we have, not for what we lost. For those of you who have not read previous blogs, one of my favorite scriptures has been:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Cor. 1:3, 4.

My love and prayers are with each of you that you will find the loving comfort only our Gracious God, Savior, Redeemer and His Blessed Holy Spirit can give us as we walk through our dark valleys. I also pray the possible ice and snow predicted this week will again be rain so we may enjoy our Widow's Might meeting together this coming Thursday, February 10 at 6:30 in the Prayer Room of Calvary Assembly.

Be encouraged and blessed.  You are greatly loved, and I look forward to seeing you.

In Christ's love and mine,
Dee

NEW YEAR of HOPE

The holidays have come and gone, and a New Year of HOPE is upon us. As the old year passed and the new one came, I was reminded of Paul's words to the Philippians in 3:13, "Dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing:  forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead."

Isaiah 43:18, 19 says, "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old.   Behold I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

And the writer to the Hebrews uses my favorite word for this year - "This HOPE we have is like a strong and trustworthy Anchor for our souls (Heb. 6:19).

This year, as widows, we face new challenges as we continue to tread our new paths of finding our "New Normal"~ life without our spouses. Difficult as it seems, it is not impossible, for the Lord is with us. This morning at church we sang a song that tells of our being "Friends of God". The Almighty King, the Lord of Glory calls you and me His friends.  What an awesome thought!  So with Him, our challenges get smaller when we keep our eyes and hearts on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith. He is the Alpha, Omega, the Beginning and the End, and with His Grace and help, absolutely nothing is impossible for us.

Looking back can be good (if we use it constructively).  We all have wonderful memories.  After more than forty years, I could not forget my husband if I tried. Whenever I see a son or grandchild, I see facets of his life before me through them. Yet those first six years were extremely difficult. His death and burial were in February, prior to his 31st birthday and our 10th wedding anniversary.  In the middle was Valentine's Day, which I faced without the love of my life. Every day was filled with bitter-sweet memories.

As we in Delaware also know, the month of February is usually one of the darkest months of the year, lots of cloudy, rainy, possibly icy or snowy days when all seems dark and hopeless. But that 6th year brought a great change to me. I was led to a Prayer Meeting at my church after spending every Sunday those past years wondering where God could be found.  I knew He had to be real. He had to be the Creator and Sustainer of our vast universe, and the birth of my three sons and love of my husband revealed to me a certain knowledge there had to be a Source of that Love. That night I realized for the first time I could have a personal relationship with that God who'd seemed so far away. He was no longer far away, but now lived within my own heart, and I suddenly felt a new peace. Even the dark days seemed brighter, and I learned that God dwells in the clouds (Ps. 97:2). He led the Israelites in the Cloud by day (to protect them from the hot desert sun) and a Fire by night (to keep them warm in the cold desert nights) (Exodus).

That year began a whole new life for me, and I pray  if anyone reading this does not know our loving Jesus personally, they will ask Him to reveal Himself to them, to come into their lives.  As I look back on all the doors that have opened to me in these past years, I am in awe, from a Prayer Tour over the Holy Lands, to six trips to many cities all over China, with visits to Hong Kong; Tokyo, Japan; Seoul, Korea; Manilla in the Philippines, and a myriad of other wonderful experiences that young widow in1970 could not have imagined. Yet God opens doors we cannot begin to fathom. His word also tells us in Eph. 3:20 "He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think, according to the power that works in us."

My precious friends, I pray 2011 will indeed be a New Year of HOPE for each of you, times of fresh revelations of the Extraordinary Grace our Blessed Lord Jesus has in store for each of us to walk in daily.

My love and prayers for a year of deep healing and restoration above and beyond all you can imagine.

In Christ's love and mine,     Dee