A Waiting Game

 As I sit and wait for a daughter to come out of a procedure..and wait to hear the outcome.

I ponder the waiting we seem to do all our lives;

We wait for school to be over,  the whole career or just the school day! the work day to be over, we wait for "THE one", we wait for the children to arrive, for the children to talk, walk, to go to school, to arrive home before curfew, we wait for test results, pay day, we wait for the better job, things to be better, we wait for the end. (And there is an end for all of us)

📖 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

But what are we missing if all we are doing is waiting?

Waiting is a part of life, but it should be a proactive time, not a waste of time. We should be waiting on Him and His purpose, instead of what we deem should be next.

📖 Wait on the Lord;

Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 (NKJV)

I think of those I know who have battled cancer; those who know the end is near and are waiting for it to come.

Courageously making the most of the waiting moments. Praising God for the blessings they find in the moments they are given, trying to do for others, serving God how ever they are able.

Even with their limitations they find ways to engage and be "a part".

I have been privileged to be an up close and personal witness to several who have "waited with grace and gratitude". 💔❤

We all know there is another stage of life coming, but focusing on the here and now allows God to pour His blessings out on us, allows us to see where God is working and how we can serve Him and be a part of His blessing to others...no matter our capacity, He will provide all we need to do what ever He asks of us!

📖 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

🙏My prayer for you today; That you see His blessings all around you and you find His purpose in your waiting!❤

☕❤ PS. She came through the procedure well, and they believe it was successful! Thank you Lord and AMEN!

I tried NOT to waste my waiting time...working on this as I sat. (Except for those "few" Instagram posts I shared!😉)

Not A City Girl

 I didn't know when I was going to write my blog; Sunday night...or when we got home from our trip....obviously I didn't get to it Sunday!

I am not a city girl...the hustle and bustle....(which is a romanticized statement in my mind) and the city lights do not entice me.  I do appreciate those who live and work there, and pray for them!

I know I have written more than once about taking time for God in the busyness....but after the last 3 days....that is what I am left with. 

 Traveling a total of 800 miles on the highway and small curvy, country roads, towing a camper!  (First time!) Arriving safely,  and with the help of a wonderful lady (Pat) at our campground (Korn's Shawangunk Kill) set up was quick and smooth, a great spot, full hook-up! (Thank you God! & Pat!)

📖  Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13

Driving into New Jersey (no camper Thank you Lord!)

I truly believe God's Hand protected us several times while driving around Hoboken!

📖 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

There was much to pray for and give praise for;

From just individual people you pass 

📖  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

To praying for those memorialized....

those from Hoboken who lost their lives serving in WW II,

Hoboken WW II Memorial (Sinatra Park Hoboken NJ)

and those from New Jersey who were slain in the terror attacks on September 11.

Empty Sky Memorial (Liberty State Park Hoboken NJ)

To Ellis Island and what was supposed to be the start of a new life for so many fleeing persecution, poverty and famine.

📖 No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them. Ecclesiastes 1:11

To our country, as we viewed Lady Liberty and the New York City skyline.

📖 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

The view that has been forever changed...as well almost everyone who lived in that vicinity in 2001, and countless others.

New York City skyline 1989

I also breathe a prayer of gratitude for so much; those who sacrifice for my freedoms, for where I have been blessed to live, for my family (those who traveled with me, those who "held down the fort").

For ALL the safety over all the miles. For the sweet moments.

The biggest, of course, was when we pulled in the driveway and got that camper parked!

🙏 My prayer for you is that no matter what kind of "hustle and bustle" your life is like today you can find God in the busyness and give Him Praise, find gratitude in what is around you and pray for those things that are needed.❤

📖 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

         (Photo by Rachel Ramsdell Photography)

Losing Faith

 So as I said last week I had been working on this....inspired the prior Sunday.  

The message was about faith. Terry started by sharing how a friend stated she "has lost faith".

In this day and time it is easy to "lose faith".

But I got thinking...we get discouraged, even despondent, but is it God we lose faith in...or people??

For me during my most down, discouraging, empty times, when I think back, it is people I lost faith in not God. I know God is there, I know He loves me and I trust Him.

📖 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

📖 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3

But people are, after all, human and humans are flawed beings. 

God is....GOD.  He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent....He doesn't change....so He shouldn't disappoint.  

📖 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:20

📖  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

📖  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

I know we may not understand God many times....may not understand the answers we receive, but we trust Him, still know that He is there.

📖 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

But people are sometimes selfish, short sided, prideful...and their choices may hurt us, or others. 

God is the same, regardless of their choices,  regardless of our choices.

📖 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

📖 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes  3:11

📖  I know that all God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of Him. Ecclesiastes 3:14 (HCSB)

God is still Holy, even if things aren't going according to OUR plan. 

📖 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:16

📖 But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever;

    your renown endures through all generations. Psalm 102:12

Being in this world means bad, tragic, sad things will happen....because we live in a world full of sin. 

📖 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

I think if we feel we have lost faith, sometimes we need to examine where we have placed our faith and trust..

Have we placed it in a person or people? or have we placed it in the One who created the universe,  created us!?

📖 Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. Mark 11:22

🙏My prayer for you this week is that you can say...

📖 I been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.    Galatians 2:20❤

Walk By Faith

 

I had started working on this week's blog.."Losing Faith"...inspired by Sunday's message. (it might be next weeks!)

But then as I settled down on Monday evening and reflected on the day...."Losing Faith" didn't seem fitting.

"Miracles" "Step by Step", "One Day At a Time" "Overwhelmed with Gratitude" all titles that could have worked.

After 102 days in hospital ERs, ICUs, medical floors and rehab dad came home!  

And throughout his journey his faith was ever present. He knew, even when he was still sedated, that the Lord was with Him.

And Mom, even at the scariest moments,  had "a peace" that comes from a deep faith and trust in her heavenly Father.

Was there fear? of course!

Was there uncertainty? Many days.

Even in a moment when Mom thought that the love of her life, her rock of 57 years might not make it, she told me she had been praying and "she just had a sense of peace fill her". (She has had that several times throughout all this}

Her faith in what God was doing allowed Him to give her the strength...the strength to stay on her own for 100 nights.  To drive herself to Plattsburgh almost every day. The strength to tend to all of it by herself.

📖 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Joshua1:5-6

Dad's faith gave him assurance that he would eventually come home.  

As I have shared before: he told us one day "The Lord told me I will go home."

And with faith Dad believed that every day!

Every time he faced a new challenge; to speak, to swallow, to stand, to walk, to breath on his own, he had faith that God was right there beside him.

📖 For I am the Lord your God

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

I will help you. Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob,

little Israel, do not fear,
for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord,

your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 41:13-14

We all face challenges, and we need to have faith in our Lord and Savior and take one step forward...and if we can't walk...move...move and trust God is there!

📖 For we walk by faith, not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)

So today ...Happy 78 Birthday Dad! I don't think there has been one sweeter or more celebrated! 

📖 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:19

🙏 Lord, thank you for the faith, strength and courage you have given Mom and Dad. I pray that we all continue to grow our faith so that we too can have strength and courage no matter what we face!❤

📖 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
11 Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:10-11

Hands-On Savior

Again, one line in scripture during our Sunday message, inspired me for this weeks blog..

📖 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” Luke 24:39 (NKJV)

"Handle Me" "Touch Me" "See that I am real"

We have a HANDS-ON Savior!

When He was on the earth and ministered to people, He walked with them, ate with them, lived with them, He was very accessible to those around Him, but more than that He allowed them to come close to Him, to physically touch Him!

📖 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:14-16

A beautiful image of Jesus and Hands-On!

 📖 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”  Luke 8:40-48

Some He did not ask to touch Him, but they knew His power and might.

Others were humble enough to know their brokenness and their need to be that physically close to Him. 

📖 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.  A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.  As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.  When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”  “Tell me, teacher,” he said.  “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. either of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:36-50

It was life changing!

 Jesus demonstrated the humbleness of heart needed...when He put His hands on His disciples feet and washed them!

📖 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”  Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.  “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”  John 13:4-9

It was important that Jesus demonstrated the continued need to touch even after He had been crucified and raised from the dead.

📖  While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking ta hey saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish,  and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."  Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.  Luke 24:36-45

Being Hands-On can give clarity and understanding.

📖  Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.  So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”  Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29

That is speaking about us...."blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe"!

As Christians we have a real Savior, who is alive. He was raised up into heaven and He ministers to all who believe. 

But how can that be "Hands-On"?

He gave us the Holy Spirit to reside with in us!

📖 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.. John 14:26-27

You can't get more HANDS-ON than that!!

🙏My prayer is that you desire to have a "hands-on" experience with your savior today.  Don't just put His words in your hands...but allow the Holy Spirit to fill you and guide you!❤

Vision Check

 Sunday's message was John chapter 3.

I was struck by a portion of it. (It was all a good message!) But there was a particular verse and portion that got me thinking:

📖 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him." John 3:14-16

Jesus was referring to the old testament;

📖 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.Numbers 21:8-9

It was here that Bill made the comment, a bit tongue-in-cheek; "trying to imagine someone trying hard not to look!"

But it made me think...why would someone not look upon the staff if it would save them?....why would Peter take his eyes off Jesus if it meant he would sink into the stormy water?

📖“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:28-30

Why do WE take our eyes off Jesus when it means certain catastrophe?

Some, maybe intentionally, choose; "I don't need it", "that is for the weak", "it isn't real".

But many who do believe in Jesus and His saving grace, why do we look away?

Maybe some fill our lives with things that become more important...we lust after worldy things, we covet our neighbor's car, house, spouse, money, job etc. Sin causes our eyes to be looking the other way. 

You may be thinking "Hey, that's harsh, not everyone is lusting after something!"

And I agree, for many it is far from what we strive for in our lives.

📖 I will not look with approval on anything that is vile.  I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.  Psalm 101:3

How else can we lose focus? Maybe some of us have calendars so full it blocks our view of Him.  And all of it may be good, noble things but if our busy interferes with our line of sight...

We all need a vision check....

Where are we looking?  Are we looking to Jesus every day, giving that calendar to Him? We can start with our focus on Him...and as we slug or skip through a day...we can continue to look to Him. A quiet prayer, scripture in our minds, a song may come into our heads.  If we are looking for Him, He is in us, all around us, and moving and working...just keep our eyes open and looking!

📖 I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. Psalm.123:1

📖 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1b-2

🙏Mt prayer today is that we all do a vision check and make sure our eyes are focused on Him and what He has for us.❤

📖 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Reminders Of Where He Is

 Just realized it was Tuesday of a NEW week!

Looking through some of the blog thoughts I have had...none seemed right for today. 

In my "conversations with God" lately I seem to see things I  hadn't before....or more accurately reminded of things I seem to have forgotten.

Reminded, God is in the little things, and in the unexpected. 

For example; thinking about a situation from the past; remembering and praying for the people involved...and there was one of them as I pull up to the local gas station!

When all plans that we had laid out for the next  week screech to a halt as we both were quarantined...yet everything still gets accomplished and works out.

Even the closing song for Sunday's service followed the message beautifully when there is no prior discussion.

No matter how much we plan, how hard we try to work all the details out....there is much that is beyond our control.

We...I pray for so many specifics...and not that we shouldn't 

📖 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

But we don't know so much of what is going on; around us, with other people, even, sometimes, within ourselves. 

I should pray " take my life Lord, take my hands, take my heart Lord" period!  Because I don't know the best way to be useful tomorrow?  Or even today...because I don't know what lies ahead. But HE does...and whatever I go through today can be preparation for what is in store for me tomorrow.

IF I let God use me in it the circumstances today.

What does that look like? 

It means we first approach anything with a humble heart and spirit.

📖  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself  by becoming obedient to death-even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8

📖 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3

Not with grumbling or complaining 

📖 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,  so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:14-15

We then find something to be grateful for, no matter the circumstance. We can be grateful we know Him and trust Him to be with us.

📖 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

With humble and grateful hearts we then look for someone, or a situation that WE can help or be useful in.

It takes the focus off of our circumstances and opens ourselves up to possibility and hope.

📖 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

I don't believe "a future" means only prosperity, worldy things, even all good things.  "To give you HOPE and a future" ...HOPE is the key....there is always a future if we have hope...hope that begins with a saving relationship with the Savior. His hope.

📖 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

📖 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:24-25

My prayer for you comes from Ephesians 1:18

🙏  📖 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ❤