Christmas in Heaven with Jesus

Since I am waiting on the Lord to bring in the buyer He has chosen for this house so I can move to Kansas, I have struggled this month how to keep up the Widow's Might Blog.  The husband of a dear friend suddenly went to be with the Lord recently, and I felt this would be a good time to repeat a poem a friend shared last year with me.   Perhaps one of the readers of this may be able to share it with another loved one this year.   Christmas seems to be a challenging time for widows to celebrate without their loved ones, but I feel this poem gives us a lovely visual of our loved ones as they now celebrate Jesus birth with our Blessed Lord Jesus Himself.    Enjoy!

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

I dedicate this poem to you and your family, my dear friend Ann, and pray that the God of all comfort will comfort your heart as He has done for me so often these many years (2 Cor. 1:3-4).  

My love and prayers are with you, your family and all widows who look forward to seeing our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ face to face as well as all our loved ones who've gone before us.

Have a Blessed CHRISTmas!
Dee

 



Irregular People

As I was valiantly trying to share many books to lighten my "moving load" I have found a number of favorite books from my past.   One I am rereading is called "Irregular People" by Joyce Landorf.  It was a book given to me by a friend in 1985, and I am reminded of facts about Forgiveness that the Lord used this lovely author to impart to my heart. 

You might ask, "What do you mean by 'Irregular People'?"  They might be described as complicated or destructive relationships within our family or social network, people who seem adept at verbal or nonverbal abuse, who cause us to feel rejection or leave us with emotional scars whenever we see them.

I have written previously about our need to forgive even the most difficult hurts.  The big truth I learned by the Holy Spirit quickening His word through this author was to pray for the Lord to forgive through us when we have hurts too deep to forgive ourselves.   I have shared all God desires is our will to forgive, and He will work it through us, and one day we will realize the joy and release in our hearts, and no longer feel the heaviness of unforgiveness, resentment or bitterness we once felt.   He will not violate our will, but when we WILL to allow Him to forgive through us, the Blessed Holy Spirit takes us at our word and does the work through us.  It may not manifest in a day, week, or even years, but one sweet day you will realize you no longer feel that heaviness.   I have also shared the story of Corrie ten Boom who, when confronted by the evil German guard in the concentration camp who had come to the Lord, as he reached out his hand to her, she was reminded of Romans 5:5 "....the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."   That was a sovereign reminder of the Lord to her, and she was able to reach out and with forgiveness, shake his hand.  

But many "irregular people" do not realize they are offensive and unkind, and if confronted will vehemently deny they have ever done anything to hurt another person (when you have the tattered emotions dangling from your wounded heart).   However, God's word is clear that IF we wish to receive God's forgiveness, we must forgive others.   Though I have remembered and done this through the years when I have been wounded, I forgot one of the important things from this book I am now reminded about.   When I ask the Lord to forgive the person(s) who wound me, I must also ask Him to forgive me for my part in the matter.   Why did I allow myself to forget about that? 

You might say that you didn't have anything to do to receive the hurt, but the other person sees through other eyes.   Regardless of whether or not we have been guilty of wounding another, we must ask for forgiveness for ourselves as well, and forgive ourselves for attitudes or things we may have done to wound our "irregular person", no matter how unkind or hurtful his or her actions were to us.   I am still rereading this book, and I pray if any of you do not understand what I am saying, or would like for me to pray with you about a situation, please e-mail or call me.   I will be pleased to pray and seek the help of the Holy Spirit to help you get release from these hurtful relationships.  

It appears I will not be leaving this area as quickly as I thought, though my house remains for sale, and I hope to leave for Kansas when the Lord shows me His time.   Meanwhile, I hope to see each of you before I leave, and my love and prayers will go with me when I do leave this wonderful area.

Lots of love and prayers,    Dee

Thermometer or Thermostat?

Many of us have been deeply wounded at a time when we need a loving arm around us and just know our friends care.    I find precious ones who hinder themselves from receiving God's best by feeling unable to forgive.  I have had my tests in this area, and have been found lacking, but I try to fill myself with scriptures of Jesus telling us we must forgive IF we want to BE forgiven.  I know we sometimes feel it's ALL the fault of the other person.  That may be the case, but Jesus forgave us of ALL our sins before we knew we had offended the heart of our Loving God.  In the "Our Father" Jesus clearly tells us to "Forgive US our debts, AS WE forgive OUR debtors (Matt. 6:12).

I have read a number of Corrie ten Boom's books.   For those of you who are not familiar with her, she was elderly when she and her younger sister Betsy were taken by the German Gustapo to Ravensbruk, one of the infamous concentration camps during World War II.  Their family were all killed because of hiding Jews in their home.  The conditions are hard to describe; they had little food, no warm clothing and people were continually being put into the gas chambers.  When ill, no treatment was given to them, and they were harassed.  There was a plague of lice, and Corrie and Betsy praised the Lord for it because it caused the hateful guards to stop coming into their quarters, and they used the time to share Christ with their fellow prisoners, prayed and praised God in the midst of the most horrific conditions imaginable.  Corrie's sister Betsy was frail and one of the German guards was especially unkind to her and Betsy died.  Soon thereafter Corrie was placed on a list to be sent to the gas chambers.  Because of a "clerical error" she was released and for years she called herself a "Tramp for the Lord" as she traveled over the world until she was into her 80's to share Christ. One day in Germany she preached Jesus in a meeting.  Afterward the evil guard came to shake her hand and let her know he had received Christ.  She had a moment to decide IF she was going to forgive or hate him for his evil deeds.  The Holy Spirit graciously quickened to her heart, "...the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:5).

She quickly reached out to shake the hand of that brutal guard who had done such harm to her and the ladies in the camp.  She later wrote "Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart."  I recently read a David Jeremiah devotional quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who wrote from a Birmingham jail, "In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society."

Although those words were written 50 years ago, they still speak truth today. Are we, as Christians, acting as thermometers or thermostats?  Are me rising and falling to the spiritual degree of those around us, or do we set the standard for our environment?  The Bible says to "put away from yourselves the evil person" (2 Cor. 5:13). God knows there are people who hurt us whenever we see them.  It is not wrong to try to avoid being hurt over and over again, but we MUST, with the Grace of the Lord, choose to forgive them.  When we cannot do it on our own, I have often prayed, "Lord, here is my will.  I WILL to forgive (her/him).   I cannot do it myself, but I pray You forgive through me."   God will NEVER take our will, but He will certainly extend the Grace of Forgiveness to us when we ask.

I do not mean to sound "preachy", but I am seeing precious friends and family members suffer because they cannot or will not forgive others.  The sad thing is they themselves pay the price  Another quote from "The Road to Grace" that speaks to my heart:  "To forgive is to unlock the cage of another's folly to set ourselves free."   I pray for the Grace of Forgiveness for all who struggle with this.  Feelings are NOT wrong; holding onto unforgiveness when we can walk in God's grace and allow Him to forgive through us is. The feelings will follow later,  and we will be free.  "And whom the Son sets free, is free indeed!"

I am not sure how long before I move, but I have paid for the Blog site, and will continue to place them here for all who can access them.    I pray someone will print them out to share with those who might benefit.

My love and prayers are with all of you,   Dee

Becoming Useful in God's Hands

Have you ever wondered if your life is pleasing to the Lord?   Do you wonder why life seems so much the same day in and day out?   Do you think - am I really hearing You, Lord?   What am I supposed to be doing that I am not now doing?

I feel certain all of us have had thoughts similar to these.    Several weeks ago I was reading a Daily Devotional from Guideposts.   There was a quote by Oswald Chambers.   When I saw this I began to pay more attention, because I have read his "My Utmost For His Highest", and found it a beautifully written devotional that often confirmed what I felt the Lord was speaking to my heart.   The quote is as follows:

"If you are gong to be used by God, He will take you through a multitude of experiences that are not meant for you at all; they are meant to make you useful in His hands."

When I read the devotional I learned the writer had come across the quote years ago and placed it on her computer where she saw it every day as she wrote.   At the time, she wanted a reminder that God intended to bring good out of her Stage 4 Ovarian cancer diagnosis. When first diagnosed, she was given a two-year life expectancy.  Instead of fighting the prediction, she let it shape her life purpose: to do what mattered most in the days she had and to trust God to give her exactly what she needed every step of this new journey, even if it included dying sooner than she expected. But she did not die, and when she passed the 5-year anniversary of her diagnosis, she wondered if she could find a new life purpose about being a survivor.

I placed that quote on my computer, and have been meditating on it.  The last year has been challenging for me, and though I am so grateful I am able to do much more than after my fractured hip surgery, there are things I can no longer do.  I also did not look forward to cold winter weather coming with the Delaware dampness and humidity that is so prevalent.  I began to pray about what I should do.  Without sharing with anyone, the Lord placed it on the heart of my youngest son Joel to call to tell me he and his family would like to care for me in my later years, as I cared for my mother as long as I was able. I realized this was what the Lord had for me, as I had missed my three youngest grandchildren in Kansas, though my son keeps in close contact with me

At first the thought of leaving my precious friends, Bible Study, Prayer groups and church family here, was overwhelming.   Yet deep in my heart I knew the Lord had a new purpose for me there.  My first task was to share it with my Pastor, and with tears, I shared my heart.   What a kind and precious shepherd he is.  He assured me the church as a whole would miss me, but what I gleaned during these years will not be wasted as I move to serve the Body of Christ in Kansas, and we will still keep in touch.   His words and prayer were comforting, and I am now in the process of preparing for the move with the help of many friends.

So far I do not know God's entire purpose, but as He continually opened new doors for me here, I know He will do so in Kansas, and I look forward to new friends He will bring into my life.   As widows, we do not know how many years of life we have ahead,  unlike the cancer patient who was given a life expectancy of two years, but God has unique plans for each one of us that we would not have done with our life partners. As Jesus' own Bride, He takes us on new and exciting paths we cannot even imagine.  I love Ephesians 3:20 that speaks of the "exceeding abundant plan above all we can ask or think" that the Lord has for us.

We will continue our Widow's Might meetings while I am here, and I pray the Lord will raise up another person to take over.  With e-mails, blogs, phone calls, etc. we will remain in touch - and when the Lord comes to take us all with Him in the air, we will all be together in one huge Body with our Heavenly Bridegroom.   What an exciting time that will be!   Until then, let's continue to pray for each other for God's new doors and purposes for each of us to be revealed - and if God is calling for you to facilitate the Widow's Might, please be obedient.  This might be God's new purpose for you.

In His love and mine,    Dee

Changes in Relationships

In recent conversations with other widows, we discussed how relationships in our lives have changed since the death of our mates.  Couples with whom we had close friendships stop seeing us; close friends we had see us less until we hardly see them any more, and even family dynamics change, particularly with in-laws.   Then I received a set of DVD's from Miriam Neff, the author of :"From One Widow to Another" which many of our ladies have enjoyed.  For anyone reading this Blog who are unfamiliar with it, this resource can be obtained through Amazon.com for around $10, and I highly recommend it. You can also find information on the WidowConnection.com link on this Blog.  

Because of my conversations and receiving the DVD's which we will be sharing at future Widow's Might meetings, I have felt to share some things that we each feel are important, especially for newer widows to help them navigate the new flood waters that threaten to engulf them.

Miriam Neff has suggested a concept that helped her to go through this change. She says this concept is particularly helpful in addressing emotions and the myriad of decisions each widow must make.  She suggests the picture of a Board Room with a large table with high back chairs surrounding it. You sit at the head; each chair represents a person to advise you, to vote on your actions and bring you helpful information. You listen to these people. They are your VIP's, the movers and shakers of your new world.

What determines who will sit in those chairs? Two might be your parents if they are alive. You might invite favorite teachers or relatives to join your board. They may be coworkers, people you admire, even people you don't admire but might have controlled some of your decisions in the past. You should include someone to help with financial decisions. Your life has now changed and you need people on that board to give you good advice, to help you navigate through this time. These are people you want to influence and advice you. Remember, you are now in charge, and you can invite whom you wish to your table.  Your table should include a godly widow who has walked this path before you, a person with financial wisdom, a practical friend, a person with spiritual discernment and courage who will also encourage you, and perhaps a relative whose priority is YOUR well-being. These are not taken directly from Miriam, but edited from her suggestions. Also remember that this "Board of Directors" can be changed when you feel someone needs to be replaced because they do not seem to be acting in your best interests..(But be careful to be "teachable" and not throw out advice because you do not like it, especially if it is for your best interest.) Also remember you are now having to deal with a new set of emotions, very different from what you experienced before.

GRIEF is a normal response to loss. While often described in stages of shock, disbelief, denial and acceptance, grief does NOT fit neatly in stages. As you move through grief, Miriam suggests you be kind to yourself, give yourself time to heal, write down your feelings in a journal, and surround yourself with positive people. There are many Psalms that address the broken-hearted, such as "The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them ALL" (Psalms 34:17, 18).

DEPRESSION is a normal reaction to loss, crisis, or a traumatic event. Symptoms may include moodiness or sadness, painful thinking (negative thoughts about yourself, lack of motivation, indecision), physical symptoms of sleeplessness and loss of appetite, anxiety resulting in irritability and delusional thinking. Here's good news about depression: It's normal (we're not crazy), it's manageable (We WILL get through it), it's treatable. (For some, a short-term medication may be helpful if your doctor feels it's advisable.  

FEAR is another emotion - this is being afraid of an unknown or negative expectation.  It is normal in times of change and when facing the unknown, but should be temporary.  God's word is a wonderful antidote to fear:   "God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound (or disciplined) mind." (2 Tim. 1:7). or "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18). The perfect love of our Jesus is our best answer to fear.

ANGER is a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure or hostility. It's not unusual in the wake of great changes to feel anger about the circumstances, people's behavior, even at institutions with whom we had to interact regarding our loss. (But it is unhealthy to hold onto anger too long.) Forgiveness is always a healthy antidote to anger.  If you find you cannot forgive people who deeply wounded you, particularly at such a vulnerable time in your life, I have found praying and asking the Lord to help me forgive.  Let him know you WILL to forgive, but it's hard, and pray for His grace to forgive.   It may take a while, but God answers.

We have not yet answered the big question of new relationships.  I have found it important to watch out for people who appear interested in our well being, but really want to "use" our vulnerability and take advantage of us. I especially found this to be the case when I've needed work done in my home or on my car.  I believe new relationships with other widows who understand some of what you have been through is extremely helpful.  Each of us has had different experiences, but we have each lost the one we love the most.  Being able to speak of our loss brings healing.  I found when I had no one to talk with about my spouse it was difficult; but when I found a "kindred spirit" with whom we could share together, we each felt better after our encounter. Here again, I do not recommend sharing everything at the first encounter until you can trust each other, but most widows are delighted to find a person with whom they can share their hearts, and healing comes as we share together.  

Going to church and becoming involved in Bible studies and groups that interest you are a wonderful place to meet new friends.  Volunteering at the hospital is an area in which I personally found great comfort, and there are huge varieties of things you can find to do there, depending on your past training and interests.  There are open doors to volunteers in schools to help teach children to read or assist teachers in a classroom, and many other areas where volunteers are welcomed.

We have not addressed children, but I was a young mother when widowed, and found myself so concerned with comforting three little boys with no daddy and trying to do what I could to fill in gaps that I was sorely equipped to fill.  Yet I learned I should have been more concerned about my own grieving process at the time, as I probably would have been able to be a better mother to them when they needed me.  But we all learn through our experiences, but I pray our beginning to dialogue about these areas will bring deeper healing to all our relationships as we get to know each other better in our Widow's Might group.

For those of you who are able to join us at our Widow's Might meetings, we will be watching some of the DVD's from the Widow's Connection and continue to discuss these areas together. My love and prayers are for each of us to experience deeper healing in our relationships and the grieving process.   Dee

The Potter and the Clay

During the last few weeks I have often been reminded of scriptures concerning God as our Potter and we being the clay as He shapes us into His holy vessels by His own hands. In Isaiah 64:8 Isaiah prays, "But now, O Lord, You are our Father. We are the clay, and You are our potter; and we are the work of Your hand." In 2 Cor. 4:7 Paul says "We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."  The prophet Jeremiah also referred to this, and I was reminded of going to a village years ago where craftsmen demonstrated ways things were done in Biblical days, such as a Village Blacksmith and the Potter as they worked.  In those days, the potter made all the pottery on which they ate, baked or served their food, or created the more beautiful vessels and urns used in wealthier homes. I have illustrations in a book on "Bible Life and Times" I can share with you.  In 2 Timothy 2:20-21 God's vessels are described:

"But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore, if another cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work."

 In Jeremiah 18 the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah telling him to go down to the potter's house, and there He would give him His message. As my family and I watched the potter create a vessel he used wet clay in which impurities were removed.  He then placed the clay onto the potter's wheel where he carefully handcrafted the design of the vessel.  As the wheel rapidly turned you could see the potter handcraft a lovely vessel. We would watch it become higher and get a lovely shape. Quite often, despite trying to choose the best quality clay, there would be a tiny stone or other defect that would show up as the clay was worked on the wheel. At this time the potter chose to either change his original design and make another vessel, or begin all over again after removing the marred material. Often we could hardly see the imperfection, but the trained eye of the potter would not continue the original plan until it was removed, or if it was a bad flaw, would make another vessel of lesser quality from the material.

But - this was just the beginning of the making of the vessel of beauty.  As I was meditating on what and how to share, I was taken back to theology studies done years ago, and was able to find a beautiful poem that puts this and "the rest of the story" of the potter and clay into perspective, and I share it with you here.

Not Yet

(Testimony of a Beautiful Teacup)

I have not always been a teacup. There was a time in my life when I was just a lump of clay. Then my Master took me and began to pat and mold and shape me. It was very painful and I begged Him to stop, but He only smiled and said, "Not yet."

Then He placed me on a spinning wheel, and I went round and round. I got so sick I thought I was not going to make it. Then He finally let me off. Just as I thought I was going to be all right, my Master put me in an oven. I've never felt such heat. I could not understand why He wanted me to burn up. I yelled and begged for Him to let me out. I could see dimly through the glass in the oven door, but He still only smiled, shook His head, and said, "Not yet."

Finally, He came and took me out. "Whew! That sure feels better," I said to myself. Then, all of a sudden my Master picked me up and started sanding and brushing me. Then He took a paint brush and started painting colors all over me. The fumes were so strong, I thought I was going to pass out. I pleaded with Him to stop, but He continued to smile and said, "Not Yet."

Then He placed me into another oven.  This one was twice as hot as the first. I knew I would suffocate. I begged; I pleaded; I cried, but He still only smiled and said, "Not Yet."

I began to feel there was no hope. I would never make it. I just couldn't take any more. It was over for me. I decided to give it all up. Then the door swung open and the Master said, "NOW!"  He lifted me up and placed me on a shelf to rest. Later He came to me with a mirror and told me to look. As I looked at myself, I could not believe my eyes. I said, "Oh my! What a beautiful teacup." 

Then the Master explained, "I want you to understand that I knew it hurt when I patted and molded you. I knew the spinning wheel made you sick, but if I had left you alone you would have dried up and always been just a lump of clay. You would not have had any personality in your life. I also knew it was hot when I put you in the first oven, but if I hadn't, you would have just crumbled. I knew it really bothered you to be brushed and painted, but if I hadn't, you would not have had any color in your life. Oh, how I knew the second oven was hard for you. But You see, if I had not put you there you would have never been able to stand the pressures of life. You would not have survived for very long and your strength would not have lasted. So you see, when you thought all was so very hard, I still had you in My hand. I knew all along what you would be today. I had the finished product in mind from the day I first touched you.

Isaiah 64:8: "But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou our potter, and we are all the work of Thy hand." Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint."

I pray this beautiful "Teacup" story will bless you, as it has me for many years.  I was unable to locate the original textbook, but it was from the book "The Making of a Leader" by Frank Damazio.  I am still looking for the original book, and pray I find it, but I was thrilled when the Lord led me to the typed up story for me to share with you.   Perhaps you feel as I have, particularly in these past months, that I've been in that spinning wheel, and then in the oven.  Yet I praise and thank God for His wonderful reminders that when we accept Him as our personal Lord, Savior and Redeemer, he picks us up just as we are, but I also thank Him that He does not leave us as he has found us.   In His loving grace and mercy He makes a beautiful vessel of each of us so that we may all see Him in all His glory when we see Him face to face.  His word assures us in 1 John 3:2-3: "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 

As we allow our blessed Potter to have His way with us we can all walk in that blessed hope regardless of what we may have to go through in this life.  Have a blessed day in Christ, and I look forward to seeing you at our meeting on June 13.    In His love and mine,   Dee

My God Doesn't Know

As I sat down at the computer I prayed, "Help, Holy Spirit!   I need to know the heart of Jesus.  What is on Your heart today to share with Your precious ladies?"  I looked through papers on my desk, and found the lyrics of a lovely song I heard years ago written by Mark Lowrey. It has been years ago that I heard it, but it meant so much to me I transcribed the words.  For those of you who do not recognize his name, Mark's a comedian and singer with the Gaither Vocal Band. He is very funny who makes fun of himself as an extremely hyperactive child, and what a trial he was to his mother. I will quote the song:

God Just Doesn't Know

Mark Lowrey

Mama always told me: "God knows everything."

He hung the stars and knows them all by name,

But now that I am older, and I've grown to love Him so,

I found that there are some things even God just doesn't know - 

God doesn't know a sinner He can't love,

A broken heart He can't mend,

A fallen tear He can't dry.

God doesn't know a place where He can't be,

In a moment's time, to meet your every need.

There are some things my God just doesn't know.

He knows every thought I'm thinking before I say a word.

He knows the pain before a prayer is heard.

He's a Father to the orphan, He hears the widow's cry.

He even knows the answers before we can ask Him why.

But God doesn't know a sinner He can't love,

A broken heart He can't mend,

A fallen tear He can't dry,

And God doesn't know a place where He can't be

In a moment's time to meet your every need.

There are some things God just doesn't know.

There are some things my God just doesn't know.

When I began to quote this, I was going to quote only a portion of it, but it was too beautiful to omit a portion. As you all know, this has been a difficult month for us, as we heard of the tragedies of the Boston Massacre, the terrible explosion and fires at West, Texas, the murder trial of Dr. Gosnell killing live babies and causing the deaths of women with abortions gone bad, and many other sad news reports. One morning I awoke to reports of these tragedies in our nation, and a song came on the radio shortly afterward.  Some of the lyrics really spoke to my heart.   I wonder if you sometimes agree --

"All I know is I'm not home yet.  

This is not where I belong. 

Take this world and give me Jesus. 

This is NOT where I belong. 

This is NOT where I belong...."

As we see our world changing before our eyes, more and more we see the words spoken by Jesus in Matthew 24:37 coming true in our world, "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."  We see such evils in the world, from the terrorists, abortionists, and spirit of lawlessness that abounds around us.  I cannot help but wonder how much longer our Blessed Lord will be patient with His  people and the beautiful earth He created and choose to return for those who love and serve Him.   I cannot help but call out "Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus, Come!"   Meanwhile, we must continue to pray for many others who have not yet called out to the Lord Jesus so they too may be saved before that glorious day for His own, but a tragic time of judgment for those who are not under the covering of our Almighty Father.  

Let's continue to pray for all those still outside of God's umbrella of safety, to choose to ask Jesus into their hearts for a personal relationship with Him.  He is our only refuge in the storms that may yet come upon the earth before His return.  

My love and prayers for all of you,    Dee

Blooming in God's Garden

According to our calendar, Spring is here, though it does not yet feel like it most days.  Yet there is a feel of Springtime in the air.  Daffodils are in bloom and fruit trees are blossoming.  As we celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the dead, we can now look ahead to putting off our own grave clothes of winter and much of our grief of the past and put on our new robes of Spring.

In reading John 11 about the raising of Lazarus from the dead, Jesus told Martha, "I AM the resurrection and life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"  When Jesus arrived at the grave site, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!"  I find it interesting that when Lazarus came out of the grave, John 11:44 says, "And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth.  Jesus said to them, 'Loose him and let him go.'"

When Lazarus came out of the grave, he was still bound. Jesus did not loose him, but told those there to "Loose him and let him go."   I believe that speaks to us today that we are to open our hearts to those still bound in grave clothes of grief and losses in our past to help each other take off the grave clothes.  I do not suggest we can forget our loved ones and never again grieve their loss. We are still in our human bodies and will miss our loved ones until we can once again be reunited with them in our new bodies.

However, I believe the Lord is calling for each of us to help our sisters put on our new garments of praise for the spirits of heaviness, and be the planting of the Lord in His garden - that He might be glorified.  Years ago I entered a second floor condominium that was to be a special home for me. It had the view of a gorgeous 200 year-old oak tree.  The Holy Spirit quickened verses from Isaiah 61 - "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor, He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, the opening of the prisons to those who are bound...To comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness that they may be called trees (or oaks) of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."  That beautiful oak tree was a source of comfort and teaching as the Lord often revealed Himself and His word to me through it.

One cold depressing day in winter, I looked out, and the tree was bare.  Usually a few leaves remained on the branches until the spring sap pushed off the old ones, but this year strong winds and rain tore at them, and the tree seemed more barren than usual. While looking at the tree I started to think of the size of the roots under it. I recalled reading an oak tree's roots were often twice as long as the upward and outward growth. I envisioned the roots of the oak tree growing deep into the soil, seeking water during dry seasons. This day I felt like that naked oak tree.  However, as I looked out, I felt the Spirit of the Lord speak to me about those roots. He reminded me that the fruit in my life was also growing like those roots. He saw what I could not.  I felt His love comfort and enfold me and I no longer felt barren and alone.

I pray as we look at the beauty of nature growing around us that we will see our Lord Jesus' love growing through us, allowing the fruit of His Holy Spirit in our lives to grow more deeply as we bloom in God's garden and bring joy and beauty to others.  New neighbors recently purchased a home that had been vacant several years.  In the last few weeks it has taken on a new beauty as the couple worked in the yard, trimmed, weeded and mulched, until the place looks brand new.  That is how the Lord sees us, even if we do not yet see ourselves like that.  Remember, He sees us redeemed and forgiven - through the Precious Blood of Jesus.   Let's pray for the Lord to anoint our eyes with His eye salve to see ourselves and others through Jesus, and bring more and more glory to His beautiful garden through His grace flowing in our lives. Let's lay aside our grave clothes and see God's glorious new fruit in ourselves and each other.

My love and prayers for His fruitfulness to be with all of us as we grow in Christ's Beautiful Garden.   Dee

Power Thought for Today

I've been praying what new topics to share this month. I was blessed to attend a lovely Prayer and Praise meeting recently, and some "Power Thoughts" from a book by Joyce Meyer were shared, and I borrowed the book.  I'm glad I did, because I'm finding ways in which I need to renew my mind again. I guess it's an on-going process, because we are always receiving new attacks against our minds.

The first Power Thought - "I can do whatever I need to do in life through Christ." A paraphrase of Phil. 4:13 is "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me. I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency."

Are there things that trigger dread, fear or cause you to say, "I could never do that!" when you think about them? Whether it's getting over the loss of our loved one, facing a serious illness, a family challenge (and don't we all have those?), or many other situations that come suddenly that seem to shake us to the bone.  The fact is, while some situations may be intensely undesirable or difficult, you can do what you need to do in life. This is true because God tells us in His Word that we have the strength to do all things because Christ empowers us.  He always has an abundant supply of His extraordinary abundant grace to help us be more than conquerors through Christ (Rom. 8:37).  He does not say everything will be easy or that we'll like all we have to do, but we can enjoy life in their midst. He guarantees us the strength for everything we need to do because of Christ. When Paul prayed three times for God to remove the thorn in his flesh, God assured him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in your weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9).

What a thought, that God's power is made perfect in our weaknesses!  So the more difficult the situation, the more Grace God gives us to, not only get through it, but do it in His strength.  I often think of Joseph in the Old Testament. His mother died at the birth of his youngest brother Benjamin.  The elder brothers resented him because he was his father's favorite. When Joseph had dreams of his father and brothers bowing to him, they became even more jealous. The brothers sold him to Ishmaelite traders, where he was purchased as an Egyptian slave. He served faithfully, and God gave him  favor with his Master Potiphar.  When his wife tried to seduce Joseph, he fled leaving his cloak.  She unjustly accused him of trying to seduce her and he was put into prison. Even there he walked in God's favor. Two fellow prisoners had dreams, which the Lord interpreted through Joseph. Both came true, but he was forgotten and remained in prison. In God's timing, Pharaoh himself had two dreams that deeply disturbed him, and when none of Pharaoh's magicians could interpret them, the Chief Cup bearer remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh of him. When the Lord gave Joseph the interpretations,  he was promoted by Pharaoh to be second in command in Egypt.   His brothers, because of the famine predicted in the dreams, were led to Egypt where they met Joseph.  He later had his father, brothers and families brought to Egypt, and when their father died, the brothers feared Joseph would take revenge on them. One of my favorite verses is, "Joseph said to them, 'Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.'" (Gen. 50:19-20). This is my condensed version, but Joseph's entire story can be found from Genesis 37-50.

Let's get back to our power thought. We must understand that Phil. 4:13 does NOT say we can do anything we want to do because we are strong enough, smart enough or hard-working enough. In fact, it leaves no room at all for human striving or self-effort. The secret to being able to do what we need to do is to realize we cannot do it alone, but only through Christ. For some reason, we often fail to use our faith to believe and act on that truth. Instead, we think we have to do it all, forgetting that the power of Christ works in us. Then we are defeated before we even begin. We need to be partners with God. We cannot do His part and He will not do our part. He wants us to believe and take action on His direction and leading, but He insists that we trust (lean and rely on) Him every step of the way.

One of my favorite verses says it this way: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5, 6.

Together, let's learn to lean on our Lord. Nothing is too hard for Him, and when we place our trust in Him and His strength, seeking Him in prayer, He will lead us through the stickiest situations. Our God is faithful.

We will celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord at the end of this month. I pray you can join us at Calvary's Original Production, "Our Savior's Here."

I look forward to seeing you there.  Have a Blessed Resurrection Celebration!
In His love and mine,  Dee

My Name is I AM

Our Well Spring Bible group is studying the Bible "Through the Jesus Lens."  We began in Genesis, the Book of Beginnings, in January, and now beginning to study the book of Exodus. When Moses saw the Lord in the burning bush, he asked Him His Name.  He replied, "I AM Who I AM."  As I meditated on the verse, I was led to a small devotional by Helen Mallicoat that I felt was a truth we widows all need to hear.

I was regretting the past and fearing the future.

Suddenly my Lord was speaking:

"My name is I AM."  He paused.

I waited.   He continued,

"When you live in the past with its mistakes and regrets,

It is hard.  I am not there. 

My name is not "I WAS."

When you live in the future with its problems and fears, 

It is hard.   I am not there.

My Name is not "I WILL BE."

When you live in this moment, it is not hard.  I AM HERE.

My Name is "I AM."

I sense all of us need to be reminded to look to our Lord as our "I AM" regardless of our need. Though I have been widowed over 4 decades, the 3 months of semi-isolation when I was unable to drive, it got dark  early, and I felt so alone and lonely.  Thank the Lord I kept myself busy reading good books drawing me closer to my Savior. I am exceedingly grateful for all the cards, visits, phone calls and other helpers I had during those dark days and realize anew how the Great I AM is always with us, either by His Spirit or by those He places near us.  He assures us throughout the Old and New Testaments He will never ever leave nor forsake us. Though we may "feel" alone and lonely, He is always with us. 

His LIGHT is always with us. "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a Light unto My path." (Ps. 119:105)

His FIRE is in us. "Is not My Word like a fire?" saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:29)

His SEED ever grows within us. "The seed is the Word of God."  (Luke 8:11)

His MILK feeds and sustains us. "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word." (1 Pet. 2:2)

His BREAD feeds us.  "I AM the Bread of Life." (John 6:48)
His HONEY adds sweetness to our lives. "The law of the Lord is sweeter also than honey," (Psalm 19:7)
His MEAT strengthens us. "Strong meat belongs to them of full age." (Hebrews 5:14)
His GOLD blesses us. "More to be desire are they (His Word) than pure gold." (Psalm 19:10)
His SWORD helps us. "The word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword." (Hebrews 4:12)
His HAMMER helps us. "Is not My Word like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?"  (Jeremiah 23:29)

We have the Lord and His Blessed Word with us to always Light our paths, Burn away the dross in us, allow the Seed of His Word to grow in us, His Milk to feed and sustain us; His Bread of Life to feed us, His Honey to add sweetness to our lives, His Meat to strengthen us, His Gold to bless us, the Sword of His Word to penetrate and divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart, and His Word like a Hammer that breaks a rock into pieces.

We have truly been greatly blessed to have been given the Word of our Living Savior to keep, feed and sustain us.  When we are lonely, let's fill our spirits with His Living Presence through His Word so He may allow these lonely times we all experience to draw us closer to the One who loved us enough to send His only Son to die for us and give us eternal life.  No matter how long the days or nights may seem, eternity with our Risen Savior and our loved ones will be much longer.  Let's think of eternity and look forward to all our Blessed Lord is preparing for us. Let's think of the comforting words our Savior gave before His sacrifice for us on the Cross: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:1-3).

Let's look to the Great I AM who is always with us, and as our world seems to grow more dim, look for the Light of the World to Light our lives with His Loving Presence.

In His loving Light and mine,     Dee

Blessed New Year

Here we are at the beginning of another new year.  The first scripture I read this morning was a reminder by Paul:  "Not that I have already attained or am already perfected, but I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me" (Phil. 3:12).   

How perfect a word for me, I thought, because although I am making great strides through prayer, exercise and therapy, I still need more strength. Then I remembered the Lord's word to Paul "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness"  (2 Cor. 12:9).  I thank and praise the Lord for His amazing grace that has brought me this far at probably one of the weakest times of my life.

Though I have not yet been released from using a walker, I have used a cane at times.  It is so much easier to carry when I go outside than the walker, but I need to be sure I have an extra arm nearby to help me balance myself.  As I think about it though, regardless of how strong we may think we are, we can do nothing without the strong arm of our Lord Jesus walking beside us to lead and take us where we are to go.  I always felt fairly strong before, but these past months have shown me how much I need the Lord and the many friends He has placed in my path. 

I may have shared this quote before, but I saw a small note taken from an Angel Magazine: "Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened."  I know all of us have pleasant New Year's memories with our mates, and these days when friends are busy with their families often seem lonely to us. Yet we are never alone when we have our precious husband, our Lord Jesus ever at our sides. I must confess there are times though, when I feel like the little boy who was afraid of thunder. When his dad comforted him by reassuring him Jesus was always with him, the little boy said, "But Dad, I like when you hold me."  How many times we feel we too would like a reassuring touch like the little boy.

Some months ago I shared information about healing with the Gift of Touch. Jesus did much healing by His touch of love and compassion.  I believe it is also a good reminder for us as widows to remember a loving hug when we meet.  Paul closed out his letter to his friends at Rome with the admonition to "Greet one another with a holy kiss" (Rom.16:16).  

I leave you by sending all my friends a Holy Hug and Kiss and the prayer that this new year will bring many new God appointments and abundant blessings to you and your families.

In Christ's loving hugs and mine,      Dee