Celebrating Christmas

As the Christmas holidays approach, I am aware of lots of ambivalent feelings among widows.  We remember the good times, but we also experience lots of other conflicting emotions. We miss our loved ones and feel deep voids. Our children and other loved ones have other emotions that sometimes cause them to act or react in confusing ways.  A friend of mine and I were sharing some of these conflicting memories and emotions, and she shared a poem entitled "Christmas In Heaven" that we felt would comfort all of us.   I pray it ministers to you also:

CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN

I see countless Christmas trees around the world below,

With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars, reflecting the snow.

The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear,

For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,

But the sound of music can't compare with the Heavenly choir here.

For I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring,

For it is beyond description to hear an angel sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain in your heart,

But I am not so far away, we are really not apart.

So be happy for me, dear one, you know I hold you dear,

And be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

For after all - Love is a gift, more precious than gold,

It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

So please love and help each other, as my Father said to do,

For I cannot count the blessings or the love He has for you.

So have a Merry Christmas, and wipe away that tear,

For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I can't tell you of the splendor or the peace here in this place.

Can you imagine Christmas, seeing our Savior face to face?

I'll ask Him to lift your spirit, as I tell Him of your love,

So then pray for one another as you lift your eyes above.

So please let your hearts be joyful, and let your spirits sing,

For I'm spending Christmas in Heaven, and I'm walking with the King!

Some of you have shared other versions of this message in previous Widow's Might meetings, and each one is special, but the thought of our loved ones celebrating Christmas with Jesus is something that has brought me great comfort this year, especially with the passing of my Mom at the end of last year.  Even though I  tried to prepare myself for her passing for years as her dementia progressed, there were times I missed being unable to go to see her.  When that happened, I tried to replace those thoughts with remembering where she is now, in her new body, able to hear and rejoice with Jesus and our loved ones who've gone before us.  I wouldn't want her tired 97 year old body back when she is rejoicing with her Savior in her new body.  When I sustained the fractured hip this fall, I had feelings of grief and loneliness for my husband, though it's been over 40 years. When I did, I realized he could not be the loving kind husband and father he was after the aneurysm that took his life, and I could not wish him back into that sick body again, and quickly rejoiced that God was healing and restoring me, and I would one day be able to join him with Jesus in my own new body.   

I pray these thoughts give you a different perspective when those times of loneliness and grief come, and they will come at various times.  With the way our world is lining up with end-time prophecies, the time for Jesus to come for us seems to be fast approaching.   1 Thessalonians 4:1-18 says:

"For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first...we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."

I encourage you with these same words.   Be blessed, and let's celebrate the presence of our precious Heavenly husband, as Isaiah 54::5 says, "For your Maker is your Husband, the Lord Almighty is His Name." Enjoy His presence with me as we celebrate with Jesus, our Heavenly Husband, this year.

With love and hope in Him,     Dee

Blessed Thanksgiving

My last blog was about early Autumn Winds, and I was asked by a friend why I had not done a new one since September. At that time I looked forward to my first cruise, fully expecting to write on my return.  Instead I spent 11 1/2 hours riding from Boston to Bay Health with a hip fracture following the cruise. Surgery was that Saturday, with several weeks at a Rehab facility, then home to a new way of life trying to get around with a walker. I did not feel ready for that, as I cared for my elderly mother until she needed more care than I was able to provide. Now I was trying to get my meals and just get around on a sore hip, using silly looking tools to help me dress and pick up things.

When this began I felt the Lord speak to me from Psalm 23, "He makes me to lie down in green pastures." Lying down in His green pastures is not bad at all, but there were visiting nurses and therapists making sure I did the excruciating exercises, and the last week more prodding and pulling of sore muscles at Therapy sessions. Meanwhile all chores are hard work. I praise God I had help the first few weeks, but I'm now being prodded to reach out and do more. My prayer is this "new normal" is temporary.  I love the words throughout the Bible: "It came to pass."

In these times when we feel nothing will ever be the same again, we realize that though we do not "feel" things will get better, our God is the same yesterday, today and forever. His presence and sense of humor have been with me during the long ride from Boston to the Hospital, at the hospital, in rehab and during all times of stretching, prodding and exercising. I'm reminded of an old song, "Through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God."  I can't remember the rest of the song, but learning to trust in Jesus is the most important thing we can ever do. Through all stages I've had the sweet assurance that He is always with us, will never ever leave nor forsake us, as we keep our eyes and hearts stayed on Him, ever trusting in Him. (Hebrews 13:5, Isaiah 26:3).

I look forward to being more mobile soon, but in the meanwhile, I'll try to keep you apprised of my adventures as a  healing pilgrim - just passing through to the next phase the Lord has for me.  My friend in China shared a vision the Lord gave her of herself as a 90-year old shriveled up Warrior for Christ. Regardless of our ages, God is with us and ever ready to use us as His Warriors to bring His good news to encourage and bless others.

I'd like to express my love and thanks for all friends and family who have been so helpful and encouraging during this time, the lovely cards, flowers and gifts as I continue to place my love and trust In Christ Alone.

Much love in Him, and a Blessed Thanksgiving to all,
Dee

Autumn Winds

As I write this, it's already the first week of September.  The month of August went by so quickly, and I did not realize it was time for a new Blog.  We hear about March winds, but the beginning of September brought spectacular winds of their own.  As a matter of fact, on Labor Day afternoon I was spending a quiet day reading and meditating on the Word of the Lord when it suddenly grew extremely dark. I turned on the light even though it was before 3:30 in the afternoon, and became aware that it was not only very dark, but the wind had picked up and it was pouring rain.  I quickly prayed for the Lord's protection for me and my neighbors. The wind was so strong that the heavy rains were blowing side-ways.  I started to go out to move my porch chairs closer to the house so they would not blow around, but the wind was so violent I felt I'd rather have the chairs blow than me, and quickly closed the door.  The rain and wind stopped as quickly as they began, and soon a dear friend called to see if I was all right.  She had her TV on and heard a report of a  Tornado warning in the Camden area.  I assured her I was fine, but  reports soon came that a Tornado had touched down in my neighborhood.  I later learned a number of homes nearby sustained massive damages, torn off roofs, blown in garage doors, torn shingles, etc. One home was blown about an inch off its foundation.  How I praise the Lord for Psalm 91 which I pray daily, and for the angels the Lord must have placed around my home during those moments as I prayed.  The next day Chopper 16 News flew overhead and showed damages to the homes from the air. What shocked me was that the large building at the end of my street had shingles blown from the roof.  The storm must have gone past my place, but praise the Lord, did not touch down. Truly the Lord performed a miracle for me and my neighbors.

I came across an interesting little study about "Bees for Believers" that I thought might be appropriate to share with you -

• BE KIND to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
• BE THANKFUL unto Him and bless His Name. Psalm 100:4
• BE DOERS of the word and not hearers only. James 1:22
• BE READY to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness. 1 Peter 3:15
• BE STRONG in the Lord and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10
• BE FRUITFUL in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10
• BE TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2
• BE HOLY as He who called you is Holy. 1 Peter 1:15
• BE STEADFAST,  immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58
• BE READY, for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes. Matthew 24:44

We never know when the Lord may come or an emergency may come to or very near to us.  We need to always be prepared and be close to the Lord for any eventuality.  The Lord led me years ago to pray Psalm 91 daily. As a matter of fact, my mother shared a long time ago that her Sunday School teacher had suggested this to her and her class.  Mother lived 97 years, and "surely with a long life did He satisfy her" (Psalm 91:16).  I also daily clothe myself with the whole armor of God, according to Ephesians 6:10-18.  I put on my spiritual armor even as I dress myself in the morning. Pastor recently suggested never taking it off, and I like that. Yet I also like the reminder of placing all the separate pieces of the armor of God to daily protect myself and my family.

Hopefully this may be a reminder for all of us to BE kind, thankful, doers of the Word, ready, strong, fruitful, transformed, holy, steadfast and to always be ready and remain close to Jesus and His Word.

With love and blessings to all,
Dee

The Gift of Touch

We seldom think about the importance of human touch. If we get enough, we tend to take it for granted. If we've never had enough, we don't know what we lack. Jesus included touch as a part of His ministry.

Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man (a leper) (Matt. 8:3). He touched her hand. (Peter's mother-in-law in Matt. 8:15). He touched their eyes (2 blind men) and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you." (Matt. 9:29). Jesus came and touched them (Peter, James and John) (Matt. 17:7). Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man (an untouchable leper. (Mark 1:41). People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them (Mark 10:13). He touched the man's ear and healed him (The man whose ear Peter cut off) (Luke 22:51).

Would you be surprised to hear that research confirms that human touch is vital for healthy development? Premature babies who are touched and held are more likely to thrive; those who don't receive adequate human contact tend to be slower in developing and more likely to have physical and emotional problems. I know this to be the case from when my grandson was born prematurely weighing only 2 lb. 7 oz. When he was stable they allowed family to hold and rock him even with all the wires and tubes during his first three months of life in the Neonatal unit. He is now a healthy 14-year old who plays guitar in church, is active in sports and making rockets and baking projects for 4-H (and winning quite a few ribbons in the process).

I read an article that indicates research also shows fifteen minutes of daily gentle massage helps premature infants gain weight faster, enabling them to leave the hospital sooner than premature infants who do not receive touch. The massaged babies are more relaxed, active and alert. In fact, infants cry less than those not held. Their immune systems are enhanced and they handle stress more effectively.

An article mentioned that since many elder citizens live alone, the writer learned of the universal need for touch. She made it a practice to give her ninety-year old bed-bound grandmother as much physical contact as possible during her visits. She'd stroke her face, hold her hand, rub her with lotion and touch her in any way that seemed natural. She always seemed more settled in her spirit after this.  I too practiced this with my ninety-seven year old mother in the nursing home in her final years. Since she was unable to hear, speak or respond cognitively, it was a blessing to see her relax and rub my hand in return.

Other researchers tell us that touching slows heart rates, lowers blood pressure, increases levels of serotonin (a brain chemical linked to the sense of well-being) and relaxes other bodily functions. It decreases levels of the stress hormone cortisol which can boost immunity. But as a long-time widow, I know the feeling of love and well-being a hug gives me. Hugs from my friends make me sense the love of Jesus more deeply.  I had an experience at a fellowship some years ago.  It was my first time there, and while I knew some of the people, there were many I had not yet met. It has always been a challenge for me to reach out to someone I do not know, but I felt the Holy Spirit lead me to introduce myself to an obese rather unattractive lady. I did so, with a prayer on my heart for the Lord to allow His love to flow through me to her. She later told me in that hug she felt the love of Jesus through me. I never told her that was my prayer, but it truly confirmed in my heart what the Lord does when we love one another with a hug "from His heart".

Do you have a problem giving someone a hug because of unforgiveness toward them?  I was reading a novel  called "Homeward" by Melody Carlson on my Nook recently. The main character was deeply wounded by family members and had great difficulty forgiving.  The Holy Spirit gave her an analogy that spoke deeply to me.  I copied it down so I could remember it. Perhaps it will bless you as it did me.

Imagine you have a beautiful puzzle that is all put together, but is missing one piece. You are holding a puzzle piece in your hand, but it does not fit. No matter how you try, it just will not work. It's because you need to give that piece to someone else. It is the missing part of THEIR puzzle, and only when you let go of that piece can God hand you the missing piece to YOUR puzzle.

Perhaps a prayer of forgiveness and a hug can minister your forgiveness to another so that you in turn may receive the missing puzzle piece to obtain your wholeness.  I pray healing hugs from your sisters in Christ  may help you, and that the Lord will minister His grace of forgiveness so you can receive your own.

My love and prayers to all of you,
Dee

Freedom In Christ

As we prepare to celebrate the Independence Day of our beloved country, I think anew of the Freedom in Christ purchased by a terrible price - the precious blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. He died on the cruel Cross so that we might live, not only for the time of our lifespan on this earth, but for an eternity with Him

During the time of my  mother's long battle with dementia, the years seemed as if they would never end.  She lived 97 1/2 years on earth, but because of Jesus, she is spending an eternity with her Heavenly Father. We who know Jesus personally, will also have that marvelous privilege. During the "dementia years" time seemed interminable. Her cognitive abilities decreased until she sat in a wheelchair unable to walk, hear, speak and truly communicate, though she continued to feed herself until near the end, and responded to smiles and the love of family and caregivers. When I begin to grieve at being unable to see her again, I imagine her in Heaven with Jesus and our loved ones who passed on before.  I love the song "I Can Only Imagine" and with joy think of her being able to worship Jesus along with family, friends and those we read about in the Bible.  When she was a little girl, a Sunday School teacher suggested she read and pray Psalm 91 daily.  She did this during her entire life. I noticed how, even though her physical ears were deaf, her spirit man was alive. In the early years in the nursing facility she was in the Dining Room with a comedian who was singing and making jokes. Her spirit discerned he was ungodly, and rather loudly (because of her hearing loss) wanted to get out of there and she let it be known she did not like him. It was not the man, but the spirit she disliked. When godly people led hymns or shared Jesus, she sat with a hymn book (often upside down), but praised Jesus in her spirit and with a smile on her face.

As I think of her, my beloved husband and many other loved ones who've gone before, and the loved ones of our widows with whom we share this Blog, I think of the difference Jesus makes in our lives. As Christians, we all have our personal challenges, whether they be loneliness, health, financial, family, or many other concerns of our hearts. Yet, because of what Jesus has done to save and redeem us, we have an advocate to look out for and intercede for us. Jesus never had a wife or children, and thus never experienced the love of a human with whom to be one-flesh as husband and wife. Yet, He had the awesome relationship of His Heavenly Father. He also knew great rejection such as most of us will never know, from even His earthly family. His mother and siblings thought He had lost his mind when He began to preach and tried to get Him to return home with them. Yet He remained faithful, for He had a call to redeem us from our sin so that we would be able to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

I shared with you in the past about Don Piper who was in Heaven with Jesus for 90 minutes when the Lord called him to return to earth. He spent 13 long months hospitalized in excruciating pain.  Though he is now miraculously able to walk, he still lives in continual pain.  He daily praises Jesus for another day to share God's love and bring more people into the kingdom, knowing we will all one day, probably sooner than we realize, be together with Jesus in our new eternal home. While we're here, he continues to look for God's New Normal plan for each day

I'd like to close with a quote from Corrie ten Boom for us all to remember when we have deep pits or challenges to get through:  "Remember - there is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still."

With love and prayers for a Blessed Independence Day in Jesus,
Dee

New Opportunities

In recent Widow's Might meetings we chatted about finding new opportunities the Lord has for us since the loss of our mates.  After all, the Lord created us to be One Flesh in Him, and I remember as my husband was buried, I felt like my right side was going with his body into that grave. Did any of you have that feeling? Yet since that dark time I have found the Light of Jesus in many new ways.

When my husband died I was no longer Mrs. Al East, but Ms. Dee East.  (Don't you dislike that "Ms"?)   I didn't know who I was any longer. How could I find my new identity?  How could I raise those little boys without their Dad?  Where can I go now without being a "third wheel"?  How do I go on another day? And  many more.  I know each of you has your own list to add to these - (and believe me, I had a lot more.)

A friend recently shared how the Holy Spirit comforted her by His Word in Isaiah 43 after she returned from her husband's Memorial service. She suggested I share it with you.  How about placing your own name here:


But now, O Precious One, the Lord who created you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of opposition, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I Am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (NLT)


Soon after this conversation I found a devotional that had been my Mother's. The author spoke of attending a Women's Ministry meeting where they were to discuss many items on a crowded agenda. They began with a short devotional aimed at inspiring them for the tasks ahead. She simply proposed, "Why don't we use the word "Opportunity" instead of "Problem" as we discuss these items and see what happens? The discussion that followed was filled with Opportunities for building new relationshiips within their large church.   Then there was the Opportunity to clarify goals by rewriting their organizational guidelines, and others as they went down their lengthy agenda.

The author suggested that we practice this. Maybe it begins with how we choose to look at our problems. What are your problems today? A deadline? A phone call? A broken relationship? Loneliness? Being able to Forgive?  Reach for God's hand and see it as an Opportunity rather than a problem.

Since reading this I have been delighted to see more opportunities come my way, and my Joy in the Lord's promise to ransom (or redeem) me has been beautiful.  What new opportunities does the Lord have for you during this next month?   Let's see what  we can find in our New OPPORTUNITIES in Jesus.

STICKING TOGETHER

In Ephesians 4:16, Paul speaks of "the whole body, joined and knit together. . . causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." The Lord has ordained for the whole Body of Christ to function together just as He created the human body.  If our little toe hurts, our whole body aches.  So He desires that when one of our sisters is hurting, He wants us to reach out in love to bless and encourage her through her time of grief. 

In the Word Jesus has given us several every-day examples, such as the ant, a tiny insect, that works together and is able to accomplish great things. In Proverbs 6, the writer speaks of the ant who provides her meat in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest. In Proverbs 30:24, 25 the writer speaks of the ants who are not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer. Last summer I had a huge influx of ants and had to resort to an exterminator. I saw first-hand how determined they are and how they work together to take over an area to get their food.

I recently saw something fascinating.  Have you heard of "fire ants"? My knowledge of those nasty little things is limited to an experience I had when living in Texas.  At the time of the birth of our son, my parents came to visit to meet their new grandson. We had experienced flooding rains and the grass was higher than normal. When we saw my parents drive up, we ran out to greet them.  I suddenly became aware of intense pain around my ankles, and saw these little ants (I later learned they were "fire ants") - squirming up my legs and left my ankles feeling like they were on fire.  Their bites left me with red itchy welts for weeks, much worse than any mosquito bite.

In a devotional I learned that scientists wondered how fire ants, whose bodies are denser than water, can survive floods that should destroy them. They learned that colonies form themselves into life rafts that can float for weeks. A Los Angeles Times article explained engineers from the Georgia Institute of Technology discovered tiny hairs on the ants' bodies that trap air bubbles. This enables thousands of the insects, which flounder and struggle in the water as individuals to ride out the flood when they cling together. The little guys I experienced must have been clinging together through the floods, and scampered up my ankles. While that experience hurt, it is an example of how the Lord wants us to stand together to help and encourage each other through our times of challenge.

As each of us has experienced, the loss of one's mate, is one of the most life-changing events that we can encounter in our lives. Our entire identity as a wife leaves us when we lose our life partner. Nothing in our lives is the same, whether we have young children to raise, our children have grown, or when a couple suddenly becomes a widow with no family of her own.  Our entire lives are drastically changed and it is vitally important for us to find our new life. No one can be of assistance to us as much as others who have experienced a similiar loss.  Alone we can sink, but clinging and growing together in the Lord can help us to ride out every storm.

Let's stick together and help each other. In helping others, we ourselves grow stronger in our walk with Christ Jesus.

In Jesus' encouraging love and mine,
Dee

Your ROD and STAFF Comfort Me

What a beautiful early Spring with warm March Winds that brought gorgeous pink and white blossoms on fruit trees much earlier. Hyacinths, daffodils, jonquils and tulips are already blooming. What a gorgeous Creator God is as we look at the variety and colorful array He gives us on which to feast our eyes. He blessed us with a mild winter and lower than normal heat bills. He is truly Faithful.

I was reading a Nook book recently called "Daughter of Joy", and a quote in it made me stop to think - "For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains." Let's think about that - Many times when joys pass, sorrows seem to take their place. Or - Regardless of what sorrows may come, the remembrance of the joys we had remain.

I'm reminded of an expression we've all heard - "It's better to have loved and lost than never to  have loved at all." As a long-time widow, I relate with that. Memories of the years with my beloved mate have remained with me these years, and though I still miss the loving times we shared, memories are a precious gift. I've had friends who divorced, and they often remember the bad times most. We had our share of struggles, and I still remember them, but do not need to focus on them. I am so grateful for the good times we shared that the struggles only make me appreciate more what we did have. 

I am continuing in my study of Psalm 23. This morning I realized anew how the Rod of God's Word has protected me and my sons through many deep valleys. God has given His word as our rod, which is a symbol of our strength, power and authority in Christ. It is our defense and shield as we are in the middle of attacks from the enemy. David used his rod to kill the lion and bear to protect his flock and Jesus used the Rod of God's word against the enemy three times when He was tempted in the desert.

During the wilderness journeys (in Num. 17), the congregation murmured against Moses and Aaron and a plague began. God spoke to Moses to have each tribe take a rod. Aaron's name was to be written on the rod of Levi, and all rods were to be placed before the tabernacle. God said, "It shall come to pass that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blosssom: and I will make to cease from Me the murmurings of the children of Israel."  The next morning Aaron's rod budded and brought forth buds, bloomed blossoms and yielded almonds. This rod that budded was later placed into the Ark of the Covenant along with the golden pot with manna and the tablets of the covenant  (Heb. 9).

An interesting fact about God's choice of the Almond to bud in Aaron's Rod~~I learned in a trip to the Holy Land that the Almond is the first of flowering fruit trees in Israel to bud, denoting the coming of Spring and Resurrection (when winter still seems upon the land and all hope of new life seems dead.)

What about the Staff? As the rod is the emblem of God's Word, so the staff represents the Holy Spirit. The staff was a long walking stick with a crook or hook on one end. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. I know all you ladies have also known the loving care of the Comforting Holy Spirit during the loss of your mates. The staff is used on many occasions to reach out for sheep who got themselves caught in thorns or in bad places where only the Shepherd's staff can pull them out.

The Comforter draws people together into warm personal relationships with one another. He is also the One who draws us to Christ. The tip of the long slender stick is laid gently against the animal's side and the pressure applied guides the sheep in the way the Shepherd wants it to go. In this way, the sheep is assured of its proper path. Christ told us it would be His Spirit who would be sent to guide us into all truth (John 16:13).  It is He who gently and tenderly, but persistently, says to us, "This is the way - walk in it - when to turn to the right or to the left (Isa. 30:21).

As we have been studying how God's Rod of His Word and the Staff of the Holy Spirit comfort us, have you had any more thoughts on the quote I started with? "For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains"?   Please share your thoughts with me.

I pray all of you will be able to see "The Choice" this coming week at Calvary. Let's all choose to grow closer to the Risen Christ as we celebrate His Resurrection.

In His Love and mine,
Dee

Using Our Time Wisely

As the month of February passed with many memories of loved ones whose birthdays,  anniversaries or other special times we'd have celebrated, I am reminded of Paul's words to the churches about using our time wisely. As a new Christian I was told when the Holy Spirit wrote through Paul it was for Christians of all ages as God's Love Letter to us.  One Pastor even suggested inserting our own names to make it more personal.  Ephesians 5:15-16 says,  "Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise, but as those who are wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil."

I recently came across a short poem I found interesting by "Author Unknown". What do you think?

One Minute

I have only just a minute, Only sixty seconds in it,
Forced upon me, can't refuse it.  Didn't seek it, didn't choose it,
But it's up to me to use it.  I must suffer if I lose it,
Give account if I abuse it.  It is only just a minute,
But eternity is in it.

As I grow older, and I hope more wise,  I think of how our days are numbered. We all see signs in God's Word and in our news that time as we've known it is rapidly coming to a close. The nations are coming together as the prophets foretold, and we must all one day make an account to our Maker about how we have spent our time.  Have we used His gifts to us wisely, or are we like the one who was given one talent who hid it in the ground?  When the Master came to receive what he earned, he was called "You wicked and lazy servant. You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest." (Matt. 25:26)

When younger, I used to think everyone else was prettier, more talented, had more than I did. Yet, as God opens my eyes to see more clearly, I realize how unique each of us is created, and the gifts God gives to each of us that are special to us. I didn't know when I was newly widowed how God would change me throughout the years and give me just what I needed for the seemingly impossible tasks before me.  At that time, I couldn't see beyond one day. Yet, as I look back, despite my mistakes, I see how God was there with the right person, right answer or provision, just what I needed.

So I would like to encourage each of you to be grateful for each new day. Give it to Jesus, and ask Him to lead and guide your day with His appointments and plans for you. In Sheila Walsh's study of  "The Shelter of God's Promises" I am reminded "... He is our Hope, He is our Home. This is Christ's promise: to keep our hearts set on home with Him, with God, with the Holy Spirit. He has gone to prepare a place for us and left behind flagstones on which we can stand, a path for getting there. It is not simply that He has gone to prepare a place for us, but that His death and resurrection have made it possible for us to be there with Him forever. This is the glorious gift of the gospel. Not only that, but Christ has promised that He will return and take us with Him to His home!  So until we see Him face-to-face, may you find shelter in His glorious promises."

I encourage you to hide yourself in the Shelter of God's Promises. They are all we can truly depend on in these uncertain days.  May each of you, my beloved friends, find rest, love and Shelter in Him.

In Christ's love and mine,
Dee



Safe With The Shepherd

Psalm 23 has always been very special to me.  During the last few weeks I have been in an in-depth study of this Psalm.  This week I picked up a lovely book by Thomas Kincade (the Painter of Light) called "Glorious Refrains". Though I read it before, I am again being reminded of what I'm studying about sheep.  Scripture often compares us with sheep. Do you know why?

For starters, sheep lack basic faculties for survival, like common sense. They may be the most frail and dependent creatures God made. If they fall, someone else must pick them up. Without a shepherd, they inevitably are lost, and on their own, will die. We probably do not see ourselves like that. Yet despite how we think we are so wonderful on our own, most of us have the deep desire to be led and protected in our hearts. Our Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ is here to guide, protect, nourish, cleanse and comfort us throughout all of life's travels. No matter what the future holds, we know we are safe if we rest securely in the strong arms of our Beloved Good Shepherd.

The story I picked up to read was of how the old song "I Need Thee Every Hour" came to be written. Annie Hawks at the time of its writing was a 37 year old busy homemaker and mother of three. Early in her life she showed she was a gifted verse writer. Annie realized how even in her "normal" life she needed to spend time with her Savior.  One morning she was suddenly filled with the sense of her nearness to the Master and she began to wonder how anyone could ever life without Him, either in joy or pain. Then these words came into her mind:

"I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;

Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee!

O bless me now, my Savior -- I come to Thee!

I need Thee every hour, Most Holy One;

O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son!

I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee!

O bless me now, my Savior -- I come to Thee!"

She showed the verses to her Pastor who set the verses to music and added the chorus. The hymn appeared in a book of hymns and became well known when D. L. Moody and Ira Sankey used it in their evangelistic campaigns in America and Great Britain. The song blessed many people as they considered their need for the Savior to be with them "every hour." Annie herself barely understood the power of her own words until she faced the difficult days following the death of her husband. She wrote that she did not understand why the hymn touched so many people until the shadow of the loss of her own husband fell across her life. Then she wrote, "I understood something of the comforting  power in the words I had been permitted to give out to others in my hour of sweet serenity and peace."

Our churches do not often sing these old songs of our faith as we once did. I enjoy the Scripture choruses and other songs we sing, but also enjoy meditating on truths written in some of these older hymns, also inspired by the Holy Spirit in times of joy or pain.  I am so grateful that the Lord has led me to Bible Studies to help me understand eternal truths in God's Word, but also for books that chronicle stories of normal people who were anointed to write lovely verses or songs to inspire and bless us when we need encouragement and blessing.

How I need the presence of my Good Shepherd in my life every day. Without Him I would be very lonely, but with His constant abiding love with me, I can walk in His joy and love, even during these uncertain days.  I pray that hearts are open to receive His loving presence with each of you in new ways every day.  His Word and Holy Spirit are always new and ready to refresh us every morning. I love the scripture in Lamentations 3:23 that was set to music many years ago. The song "Great is Thy Faithfulness" often speaks to my heart. 

It is taken from the words: "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness." I pray you will think of these beautiful words when you feel too discouraged to crawl out of bed and begin a new day. His compassions are new every morning, and He is with you, as you open your eyes and ears to see and hear His new and special words of encouragement for you each morning.

My love and prayers to you all,

Dee





He is Worthy of All Our Praise

Another year of New Beginnings - and a New Normal for our lives. 

After years of caring for my mother with severe Dementia, the Lord chose to take her to Himself just before Christmas. Her tired 97 year old body was able to see Jesus face to face and celebrate His birth with Him in Heaven.  What a better place to be than with Him. As our world and nation become more filled with evil from day to day, more and more I realize the truth written by the author of the "Faith Chapter of Hebrews 11" that many in the past "died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, were persuaded of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."

I find myself feeling more like a pilgrim and a stranger on the earth, for this earth is not my true home. I too look for the one to come where we will be forever in the presence of our loving Savior and all our loved ones who have gone before us. I do not entertain a "death wish", but look forward to the wonderful things that Jesus has been preparing for us for the past two thousand years.

It was a joy to be a part of the Holiday Service of Remembrance last month where the lives of so many of our loved ones were honored. Pastor Dan Burton cited Jeremiah 8:22, "Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" He spoke of various ways of achieving healing for our grief.

• A spirit of Gratitude or Thanksgiving.  We can receive God's healing from our grief much sooner when we can focus with gratitude on what we had, rather than on our loss.
• Talking and sharing our feelings with open hands and hearts. We were not meant to hold all our feelings of grief inside, but allow them to be brought to the light where the Lord can heal us.
• Shed tears when we need to.  Jesus wept, and understands all of our grief and sorrows.
• Touching - Reaching out to others. There is always someone else we can reach out to love and encourage. As we encourage others, the Lord is able to minister to our needs as well.
• Trust in God and Prayer. When Mary was given the message by the angel of the coming birth of Jesus, Mary simply said, "Be it unto me according to Your Word." (Luke 1:38)

Let us allow the Healing Balm of the Lord and His Word to bring comfort and healing to our tired grieving bodies and emotions. He is always with us, even when we feel most alone. His word assures us He will never ever leave or forsake us, and He is our ever present help in time of trouble. 

I pray those of you who are able will join us at the Calvary Prayer Room this next Thursday, January 12, at 6:30 PM so we may be able to stand with and pray for and with gratitude in our hearts love and encourage each other as we meet for the first time this new year of 2012.

With my love and prayers to all,
Dee