A dear friend has gone to be with the Lord, which brings me to a new learning curve! More than 10 years ago she asked me to be her executor, so I now have a list of “things to do” although circumstances have changed since those days, and many instructions are no longer major issues. Conversely, there are many things that must be added, so my thinking cap must be firmly in place.
One thing though, has remained constant through the 20+ years of our friendship, and that is her love for the Lord, Jesus Christ. Many times we have prayed together for the saving grace of the Lord to be poured out on her loved ones. Some years ago, when her sister died, there was much pain and anguish to be worked through, as her sister had refused to even discuss faith in Christ, preferring only to believe in her own ideas.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 16:25 NIV) was discussed often, and how to share the Truth we know through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, was a constant theme. My friend’s surviving son disappeared from her life, but her prayers for him continued. The request for her favourite hymns to be sung will be a continuation of her heart’s desire to proclaim God’s love to those who remain in this life.
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
This hymn, was reportedly the favourite of Eric Liddell, the 1924 Olympic athlete who refused to run on a Sunday, (see the film, Chariots of Fire) and later became a missionary in China.
“How Great Thou Art” was her other favourite, and it has been interesting to me to read the several versions and original verses by the Swedish born Carl Gustav Boberg (August 16, 1859 – January 17, 1940) later translated into many languages, most notably by Stuart K. Hine (1949 version) who was greatly influenced by Charles Spurgeon.
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
AMEN!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Friday, December 30, 2011
New Year Notes.
As Christians we are bombarded, like insects under the onslaught of Doom, by negativism.
It appears that problems of all sorts and varieties can be laid at our door without expectation of reprisals. If one weak Christian can be identified, all will fall under condemnation for whatever atrocity has been committed.
We need at all times to be on our guard, giving honour to God in all we do and say. Be careful! Watch out for attacks from satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. (1Peter 5:8)
As we look to the New Year with all its possibilities, we should join with Paul in his 2nd letter to the believers in Thessalonica when we pray for each other.
May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you rich blessings and peace filled hearts and minds. (2 Thess 1:2)
Do not be disheartened if you suffer and are punished or persecuted because of your faith, for God will give you rest … when the Lord Jesus appears suddenly from heaven in flaming fire with His mighty angels, bringing judgment on those who do not wish to know God and who refuse to accept His plan to save them through our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thess 1:7,8)
But – what about the coming again of the Lord Jesus, the subject for which we are so often ridiculed and reviled? What is it about this event which we await with patience, but also with fear for our loved ones who do not look to Him for hope and answers?
That day will not come until two things happen: first there will be a time of great rebellion against God--- do you see it now? --- then the man of rebellion will come – the son of hell.
He will claim that he is God --- this man of sin will come as satan’s tool and will trick everyone with strange demonstrations, and will do great miracles. He will completely fool those who are on their way to hell because they have said no to the Truth ---
Don’t just take my word for it – read 2 Thessalonians from which I have quoted in The Living Bible.
I pray that in the coming year Truth, Peace and Joy will fill your hearts and minds so that you live in contentment and partnership with the Lord Jesus Christ.
It appears that problems of all sorts and varieties can be laid at our door without expectation of reprisals. If one weak Christian can be identified, all will fall under condemnation for whatever atrocity has been committed.
We need at all times to be on our guard, giving honour to God in all we do and say. Be careful! Watch out for attacks from satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. (1Peter 5:8)
As we look to the New Year with all its possibilities, we should join with Paul in his 2nd letter to the believers in Thessalonica when we pray for each other.
May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you rich blessings and peace filled hearts and minds. (2 Thess 1:2)
Do not be disheartened if you suffer and are punished or persecuted because of your faith, for God will give you rest … when the Lord Jesus appears suddenly from heaven in flaming fire with His mighty angels, bringing judgment on those who do not wish to know God and who refuse to accept His plan to save them through our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thess 1:7,8)
But – what about the coming again of the Lord Jesus, the subject for which we are so often ridiculed and reviled? What is it about this event which we await with patience, but also with fear for our loved ones who do not look to Him for hope and answers?
That day will not come until two things happen: first there will be a time of great rebellion against God--- do you see it now? --- then the man of rebellion will come – the son of hell.
He will claim that he is God --- this man of sin will come as satan’s tool and will trick everyone with strange demonstrations, and will do great miracles. He will completely fool those who are on their way to hell because they have said no to the Truth ---
Don’t just take my word for it – read 2 Thessalonians from which I have quoted in The Living Bible.
I pray that in the coming year Truth, Peace and Joy will fill your hearts and minds so that you live in contentment and partnership with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
From Blindness to Seeing the Light
A man, blind from birth! Can you imagine it?
In my darkest fears I would dread losing my sight. Perhaps this is because I have seen beauty, have learned to read and write, know colours, have watched a sunset, and a sunrise in different venues, and have seen the magnitude and the splendour of God’s creation all around me. If I had not known these things, how would life appear? Drab? Colourless? Flat? Yes, I could learn to reaf Braille, and perhaps come to understand in a limited way something of colour, and height and depth, distance and perspective, beauty that I would read of. Nevertheless my inner vision would be incomplete, as I understand it now, but perhaps under the circumstances, as far as my mind could understand, it would be complete.
Relate this to spiritual blindness.
How do we become Christians? By acknowledging our sinful state and need of a Saviour! We believe, and accept in faith, that Jesus paid a price for us. We receive Him and ask that He take over in our lives: in effect we ask that He would become Lord of our lives. Consequently He begins a work in us, and we become less while He, in us, reveals more of Himself through the working of his Holy Spirit. The more He works in us, the more we see and understand. Like the alphabet we progress –
A – Acknowledging our need
B – Believing that Jesus Christ meets that need
C – Confessing our
D – Dependence on Him and
E – Expecting His
F – Forgiveness of our sin, by
G – Grace giving us His
H – Holy Spirit to
I – Indwell us, thus bringing us
J – Joyfully into the
K – Kingdom of God.
L – Love, seeded from the father
M – Moves our hearts and Motivates us;
N – Nurtures love in us,
O – Opening doors of Opportunity,
P – Pointing us in Preparation,
Q – Quietly giving us a Quest to
R – Repeat what we have learned, and
S – Seeing others receive Salvation and
T – Teaching them hitherto
U – Unknown truths about the
V – Victory available in Christ,
W – Wonderful release from bondage
X – through the Cross of Christ
Y – Y? Because he loves us all and wants us to join Him in His Kingdom work, and to gain the crown He promises when we live with him in heaven! He who began a good work in us will continue it and bring it to completion – to
Z – Z – end. Completion in Christ Jesus our Lord, and then – Every eye shall see Him, and every tongue rejoice --! Every tongue will confess Jesus Christ as Lord! For some it will be too late!
They thought they could see, but it was only in their own mindset, incomplete, and unwilling to be healed! For the rest? Fulfilment! Promises kept! No more blindness. SIGHT!
In my darkest fears I would dread losing my sight. Perhaps this is because I have seen beauty, have learned to read and write, know colours, have watched a sunset, and a sunrise in different venues, and have seen the magnitude and the splendour of God’s creation all around me. If I had not known these things, how would life appear? Drab? Colourless? Flat? Yes, I could learn to reaf Braille, and perhaps come to understand in a limited way something of colour, and height and depth, distance and perspective, beauty that I would read of. Nevertheless my inner vision would be incomplete, as I understand it now, but perhaps under the circumstances, as far as my mind could understand, it would be complete.
Relate this to spiritual blindness.
How do we become Christians? By acknowledging our sinful state and need of a Saviour! We believe, and accept in faith, that Jesus paid a price for us. We receive Him and ask that He take over in our lives: in effect we ask that He would become Lord of our lives. Consequently He begins a work in us, and we become less while He, in us, reveals more of Himself through the working of his Holy Spirit. The more He works in us, the more we see and understand. Like the alphabet we progress –
A – Acknowledging our need
B – Believing that Jesus Christ meets that need
C – Confessing our
D – Dependence on Him and
E – Expecting His
F – Forgiveness of our sin, by
G – Grace giving us His
H – Holy Spirit to
I – Indwell us, thus bringing us
J – Joyfully into the
K – Kingdom of God.
L – Love, seeded from the father
M – Moves our hearts and Motivates us;
N – Nurtures love in us,
O – Opening doors of Opportunity,
P – Pointing us in Preparation,
Q – Quietly giving us a Quest to
R – Repeat what we have learned, and
S – Seeing others receive Salvation and
T – Teaching them hitherto
U – Unknown truths about the
V – Victory available in Christ,
W – Wonderful release from bondage
X – through the Cross of Christ
Y – Y? Because he loves us all and wants us to join Him in His Kingdom work, and to gain the crown He promises when we live with him in heaven! He who began a good work in us will continue it and bring it to completion – to
Z – Z – end. Completion in Christ Jesus our Lord, and then – Every eye shall see Him, and every tongue rejoice --! Every tongue will confess Jesus Christ as Lord! For some it will be too late!
They thought they could see, but it was only in their own mindset, incomplete, and unwilling to be healed! For the rest? Fulfilment! Promises kept! No more blindness. SIGHT!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Writing Encouragement
Preparation for our monthly Writer’s Group meeting is completed, and as always the Lord’s guidance was needed. I am constantly aware of our need to commit our all to Him, and the choice for our devotional confirmed this.
I am completely discouraged – I lie in the dust. Revive me by your Word. I told you my plans and you replied. Now give me your instructions. Make me understand what you want; for then I shall see your miracles. I weep with grief; my heart is heavy with sorrow; encourage and cheer me with your words. Keep me far from every wrong; help me, undeserving as I am, to obey your laws, for I have chosen to do right. I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can. Lord, don’t let me make a mess of things. If you will only help me to want your will, then I will follow your laws even more closely. Psalm 119:25.32 TLB.
Sometimes we are bound to be discouraged by our writing problems. They creep up on us unawares, and no matter how keen we are, the days arrive when either the tide or the time is against us. The tide washes flotsam and jetsam our way, and frustrations arise; doubts in our abilities, questions about being in God’s will, criticisms that make us stumble, and, you name it, you know the sorts of things that happens. And of course time is always a piece of popular procrastination reasoning. It is not there for our convenience, it is there to use conveniently, and that means fitting our priorities into our time.
Having gone through the ‘nanowrimo’ project, I can speak with a little more authority on the need for personal accountability, so this passage will be a constant prayer.
Having got the Writer’s Group going, I am wondering about taking on another challenge – one more Writers Blog! Anyone else interested in joining in, to connect with each other and share news and views? Come, Glorify the Lord with Me!
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV)
I am completely discouraged – I lie in the dust. Revive me by your Word. I told you my plans and you replied. Now give me your instructions. Make me understand what you want; for then I shall see your miracles. I weep with grief; my heart is heavy with sorrow; encourage and cheer me with your words. Keep me far from every wrong; help me, undeserving as I am, to obey your laws, for I have chosen to do right. I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can. Lord, don’t let me make a mess of things. If you will only help me to want your will, then I will follow your laws even more closely. Psalm 119:25.32 TLB.
Sometimes we are bound to be discouraged by our writing problems. They creep up on us unawares, and no matter how keen we are, the days arrive when either the tide or the time is against us. The tide washes flotsam and jetsam our way, and frustrations arise; doubts in our abilities, questions about being in God’s will, criticisms that make us stumble, and, you name it, you know the sorts of things that happens. And of course time is always a piece of popular procrastination reasoning. It is not there for our convenience, it is there to use conveniently, and that means fitting our priorities into our time.
Having gone through the ‘nanowrimo’ project, I can speak with a little more authority on the need for personal accountability, so this passage will be a constant prayer.
Having got the Writer’s Group going, I am wondering about taking on another challenge – one more Writers Blog! Anyone else interested in joining in, to connect with each other and share news and views? Come, Glorify the Lord with Me!
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV)
Friday, December 2, 2011
Perseverance Towards a Goal
Isn’t it great when the end is in sight? Having just completed an experience that will be repeated, I am looking back with relief, forward in anticipation and watching my husband consider the whole ordeal with dread!
The month of November was introduced to me as National Novel Writing Month, and participants from all over the world join in for a ‘writeathon; 50 000 words in 30 days. The result is the first draft of a novel, options covering many genres. So I embarked on the 8th of the month, already way behind the optimum average of 1666 words per day. By the end of the first week I had a gratifying 10 000 words, and it felt so good. The average short story contains 3 – 5000 words, and that had been fine up until now. The only problem was that the other participants were mostly hitting the half way mark.
Paul said, “Press on towards the goal - ” and I look at that passage again and I see the goal is to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)
Now I know that many people have to persevere in trying circumstances, but I think of a son preparing for a triathlon, and I know he will be asking the Lord’s help for the keeping on when the going gets tough, just as I did in my less physically active effort.
Trusting in the Lord is an essential in any endeavour, and my desire is to awaken the knowledge of the glory of God in young hearts, yet feeling so often unable. “Who am I?” I thought, “that You should give me such a challenge/” I received the words of the Psalmist, "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him. You made him a little lower than the angels, (heavenly beings) and crowned him with glory and honour.” (Psalm 8:4,5)
That is awesome – He cares for us, and we are valuable to Him!
I don’t know whether He wants to use my efforts only to encourage me, to show that I can achieve a dream, or does He intend to use my efforts to encourage others? He knows – He is God – and I continue, one step at a time into a long stretch of editing, cutting, adding, pasting, tweaking, and whatever else that needs to be done.
I press on, and praise my Lord for his Presence, His whispering, “Keep on, for I am with you, I will never leave you, ‘nor forsake you …
The month of November was introduced to me as National Novel Writing Month, and participants from all over the world join in for a ‘writeathon; 50 000 words in 30 days. The result is the first draft of a novel, options covering many genres. So I embarked on the 8th of the month, already way behind the optimum average of 1666 words per day. By the end of the first week I had a gratifying 10 000 words, and it felt so good. The average short story contains 3 – 5000 words, and that had been fine up until now. The only problem was that the other participants were mostly hitting the half way mark.
Paul said, “Press on towards the goal - ” and I look at that passage again and I see the goal is to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)
Now I know that many people have to persevere in trying circumstances, but I think of a son preparing for a triathlon, and I know he will be asking the Lord’s help for the keeping on when the going gets tough, just as I did in my less physically active effort.
Trusting in the Lord is an essential in any endeavour, and my desire is to awaken the knowledge of the glory of God in young hearts, yet feeling so often unable. “Who am I?” I thought, “that You should give me such a challenge/” I received the words of the Psalmist, "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him. You made him a little lower than the angels, (heavenly beings) and crowned him with glory and honour.” (Psalm 8:4,5)
That is awesome – He cares for us, and we are valuable to Him!
I don’t know whether He wants to use my efforts only to encourage me, to show that I can achieve a dream, or does He intend to use my efforts to encourage others? He knows – He is God – and I continue, one step at a time into a long stretch of editing, cutting, adding, pasting, tweaking, and whatever else that needs to be done.
I press on, and praise my Lord for his Presence, His whispering, “Keep on, for I am with you, I will never leave you, ‘nor forsake you …
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Peace? Goodwill? Christmas is Coming,
It is that time of year again. The time of rejoicing because our Saviour came!
It is also the time when satan is rampant with rage at the knowledge he is impotent against the Lord of Hosts. I do not advocate laying every adversity at his feet, for many troubles are unfortunately self inflicted, when wrong choices have been made and the consequences are devastating. We make many mistakes, and have to pay for them by the law of results and retribution, but the fact remains that Christmas is the time when so many people suffer unexpectedly, and heartbreak is the theme of the season. Satan is too willing to use his opportunity to raise those questions in the minds of the afflicted, “Why does God allow such tragedy? If God is so good, why could he not prevent this disaster?”
Coping with sudden tragedy remains a problem that is not easily solved, even those in a close relationship with the Lord finding the difficulties of acceptance of His will only within His Presence. His Word sheds some light on the ways to cope, but Christian fellowship remains a key for comfort.
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him, and he in God, 1John 4:15.
As a little boy so wisely said when someone helped him in a troubled time, “Jesus came, with skin on.”
Jesus came in the flesh, and was seen and touched by many.
A friend recently sent a message that they were at Larnaca in Cyprus where Lazarus supposedly lived and died after he was brought back to life by Jesus. He died again and his remains are said to have been found there.
An empty tomb proclaims my Saviour lives!
He knows our hurts and grief. He understands our pain. Already too much has been suffered in the prelude to the Christmas celebration, and I think He suffers too as He sees what is happening.
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8 (NLT)
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until this violent storm is past. Ps 57:1 (NLT)
The NIV says I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
At this time of year many people need these verses as comfort, but how much sadder for those who do not know the One referred to as the help and refuge that is needed. Jesus Christ said, If anyone opens the door (of heart and mind, to accept) I will come in and sup (eat, drink, live) with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20.
Don’t wait! If you don’t know Him, meet with Him now!
It is also the time when satan is rampant with rage at the knowledge he is impotent against the Lord of Hosts. I do not advocate laying every adversity at his feet, for many troubles are unfortunately self inflicted, when wrong choices have been made and the consequences are devastating. We make many mistakes, and have to pay for them by the law of results and retribution, but the fact remains that Christmas is the time when so many people suffer unexpectedly, and heartbreak is the theme of the season. Satan is too willing to use his opportunity to raise those questions in the minds of the afflicted, “Why does God allow such tragedy? If God is so good, why could he not prevent this disaster?”
Coping with sudden tragedy remains a problem that is not easily solved, even those in a close relationship with the Lord finding the difficulties of acceptance of His will only within His Presence. His Word sheds some light on the ways to cope, but Christian fellowship remains a key for comfort.
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him, and he in God, 1John 4:15.
As a little boy so wisely said when someone helped him in a troubled time, “Jesus came, with skin on.”
Jesus came in the flesh, and was seen and touched by many.
A friend recently sent a message that they were at Larnaca in Cyprus where Lazarus supposedly lived and died after he was brought back to life by Jesus. He died again and his remains are said to have been found there.
An empty tomb proclaims my Saviour lives!
He knows our hurts and grief. He understands our pain. Already too much has been suffered in the prelude to the Christmas celebration, and I think He suffers too as He sees what is happening.
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8 (NLT)
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until this violent storm is past. Ps 57:1 (NLT)
The NIV says I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
At this time of year many people need these verses as comfort, but how much sadder for those who do not know the One referred to as the help and refuge that is needed. Jesus Christ said, If anyone opens the door (of heart and mind, to accept) I will come in and sup (eat, drink, live) with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20.
Don’t wait! If you don’t know Him, meet with Him now!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Procrastinating Posting
With giving God the Glory being a priority, I yet do some weird things that become major boulders in my walk with Him.
I came across a web site that opens its doors to writers for the month of November, giving a challenge to write a novel of 50 000 words before midnight on the 30th! Well, there seems to be a lot of cricket going on, which keeps my other half occupied between DIY bouts, so although the month was already underway, and I was about to leave for a week-end conference, I took up the challenge.
The month was already a week under way before I got some notes together, and managed my synopsis, and now, on the 11th, having garnered more notes and scattered ideas, I have an unbalanced and shaky story underway. Without a LOT of editing it won’t be seeing the light of day in black and white for a long time, but the fun of new discipline is getting to me. It is not getting to others though, and my almost 16 000 words is not impressive to those who starve around me!
The idea is to teach Truth in Christian principles to young folk today who may be looking for help. Life is not getting easier for them, but we live in exciting times. I want them to know that God looks down from Heaven on the entire human race. He looks to see if there is even one with real understanding; one who seeks for God. Psalm53:2
Having enjoyed a great Baptist Women Conference, and heard so many ladies sharing on their concerns for their young families, I know I am not alone in the desire to see God’s Will being done. The knowledge that It is not His will that any should be lost, 2 Peter 3:9 keeps me hoping that many will hear His voice and turn to Him. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, says: I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:16
How great to know His grace and mercy works on, even in me!
I came across a web site that opens its doors to writers for the month of November, giving a challenge to write a novel of 50 000 words before midnight on the 30th! Well, there seems to be a lot of cricket going on, which keeps my other half occupied between DIY bouts, so although the month was already underway, and I was about to leave for a week-end conference, I took up the challenge.
The month was already a week under way before I got some notes together, and managed my synopsis, and now, on the 11th, having garnered more notes and scattered ideas, I have an unbalanced and shaky story underway. Without a LOT of editing it won’t be seeing the light of day in black and white for a long time, but the fun of new discipline is getting to me. It is not getting to others though, and my almost 16 000 words is not impressive to those who starve around me!
The idea is to teach Truth in Christian principles to young folk today who may be looking for help. Life is not getting easier for them, but we live in exciting times. I want them to know that God looks down from Heaven on the entire human race. He looks to see if there is even one with real understanding; one who seeks for God. Psalm53:2
Having enjoyed a great Baptist Women Conference, and heard so many ladies sharing on their concerns for their young families, I know I am not alone in the desire to see God’s Will being done. The knowledge that It is not His will that any should be lost, 2 Peter 3:9 keeps me hoping that many will hear His voice and turn to Him. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, says: I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:16
How great to know His grace and mercy works on, even in me!
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