Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance.

Sounds like a excerpt from a chapter from one of Elizabeth Kubler Ross’s books on dealing with grief. She says grief will occur when one looses a goal that is of importance to them. I used to teach this in Lamaze classes because I knew people might grieve if their labor and birth didn’t go as they’d imagined. (sadly I now believe  that preparing people to expect to not have pain in labor was setting them up for grief)

Some people keep personal things within families quiet.  Especially when dealing with health issues and family crisis situations.   My Mother raised me to not discuss Religion/ Politics/ or Money.  She also felt that things about health and family were also to be kept private.  I just don’t agree; how can people engage in deep relationships without the discussion of the topics that make us who we are?

There have been several 180° turns in my life.  Most often they included the topics above. Previous posts go into my journey which included marrying Tommy when I was only 15.  Immediately changing social economic situations.  Becoming a Mother when I was 18. Becoming a Christian at 21. Falling away from my relationship with Jesus and returning more passionately while in my 30s. Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and becoming a grand mother in my 40s.

In my 50′s I’ve been learning grace from humility and significance from loss.

I believe my  compassion for others has increased greatly due to my own suffering.  And that’s a good thing!!

Now the shock that is causing me to again have to “walk by faith” to re examine all the promises I cling to; especially Romans 8:28.

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God-those whom he has called according to his plan”

Our youngest son has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He is only 33. He is the Father of our precious Grand daughter.

This post is to be continued.

The whole situation surrounding the fellow who predicted the rapture or God’s return on Saturday has saddened me. Because it’s causing those who don’t yet believe to have more reason to mock and make fun of real truth.  And it seems that even my brothers and sisters in Christ have jumped in the scoffers wagon.

My concern is that this attitude will desensitize people regarding the absolute truth of God’s promises that He’ll cause His faithful ones to rise “in the twinkling of an eye”  ”at the last trumpet” with “the dead in Christ rising first” “to meet Him in the clouds”.

Yes- He is returning

"Caught up together in the clouds"

Here is a chapter of Scripture I feel lead to share: “2nd book of Peter chapter 3

“This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Final Words

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

We’re called to live every day as if it is the day of His return.  He who was and is and is yet to come.

Matthew 7:13

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” (2 Peter 2:9-10)

Peculiar! Check out that word in Websters as an adjective and right away you can see that this is not the accepted norm. Yet God’s people are not of this world. Beyond not being normal I’m hated! “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)

“Listen to the word of the LORD, all who tremble at his word. Your relatives, who hate you and exclude you for my name’s sake, say, “Let the LORD show his glory; then we will see your joy.” But they will be put to shame.”( Isaiah 66:5)

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what God approves of. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.” (Matthew 5:10)

God warns us as believers over and over in the holy scriptures not to be deceived:

“Those who try to live a godly life because they believe in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.  But evil people and phony preachers will go from bad to worse as they mislead people and are themselves misled. However, continue in what you have learned and found to be true. You know who your teachers were. From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. They have the power to give you wisdom so that you can be saved through faith in Christ Jesus. Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God’s approval. They equip God’s servants so that they are completely prepared to do good things.” (2 Timothy 3:12-17)

Soon after I was saved I read Johanna Michaelsen’s book “The Beautiful Side of Evil“. I was profoundly moved by this book. To know that what looks beautiful is not necessarily of God. Here is a link to a blog post with a short and recent interview with Johanna.

It’s one thing to have the “World” hate you. But really difficult to have to disagree with your brothers and sisters in Christ! They scream “UNITY & GRACE”! I’m not neglecting unity or grace. Yet I am not sacrificing TRUTH for the sake of unity. “You believe that there is one God. That’s fine! The demons also believe that, and they tremble with fear.”( James 2:19)

So this goes deeper than unity and belief. This is about the “wide gate” and the “many” who go through it, and the “narrow gate” which few go through.

“Enter through the narrow gate because the gate and road that lead to destruction are wide. Many enter through the wide gate.” (Matthew 7:13)

Pondering why I of all people might am able to comprehend with all the saints the significance of this holy day season.

Why me

I was raised by loving and intelligent parents who did not see a need for a Savior.

Easter was about gathering with family for a time of eating, drinking and as children hunting easter eggs.  I always got a new dress, never understanding why.

There is no reason in the natural as to why I am now in awe of the divine sacrifice God made by sending His son Jesus Christ to die and shed His blood on behalf of my need.

Yet, I have been redeemed by His blood.  Because He died I shall live forevermore.

There is  nothing I could have done to obtain so great a salvation.  ”So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” (Rom 9:16)

Even to believe this truth is beyond my finite mind.  It is by His Word that I have faith to know. (Rom 10:17)

Why me?  ”Because he chose me before the foundations of the world to be perfect in His presence.” (Eph 1:4)

“Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

“But there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.”

Nearing the end of worship at church Tommy left the sanctuary to get Breanna from Sunday school so she could partake of communion with us.

I’ve been dealing with extra fatigue as of recent; thus I was purposely not standing while praising God like I normally do.

One of my precious friends was sitting next to me.  She began to get up for a song and noticed that I wasn’t standing. Instead of getting up she reached her hand over and grasp mine. She and I praised the Lord in song together.

Her gesture was filled with Christ Jesus Himself.

Later today  I began to ponder the depth of the love we share as brothers and sisters in Christ and joint heirs together with Israel together in the inheritance promised by the Messiah Jesus through the gospel.  I’ve experienced this tangible expression of love at other times with friends. And it’s always been with those who are my brothers and sisters!  I began to feel sad for people who don’t share in such a depth of closeness either with friends or their own families.

Are you lonely? Have you a friend who sticks closer than a brother?  Do you know that becoming a part of the body of Christ allows you immediate access to such relationships?  When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior you immediately are born into a family of believers.  It’s something I honestly don’t think the world (non-believers) are able to grasp.

Yet my sister expressed that tangible love towards me today and I am simply touched.

Todays devotion was  powerful for me: 

“Be on guard against the pit of self-pity. When you are weary or unwell, this demonic trap is the greatest danger you face. Don’t even go near the edge of the pit. Its edges crumble easily, and before you know it you are on the way down.  It is ever so much harder to get out of the pit than to keep a safe distance from it. That is why I tell you to be on guard.

There are several ways to protect yourself from self-pity.  When you are occupied with praising and thanking Me, it is impossible to feel sorry for yourself. Also, the  closer you live to Me, the more distance there is between you and the pit. Live in the Light of My Presence by fixing your eyes on Me.  Then you will be able to run with endurance the race that is set before you, without stumbling or falling.”

Wow, powerful truth here.  It is especially easy to get all to close to the edge  of the pit of self pity when you are dealing with chronic illness.  Who would want to add being trapped in a nasty pit with crumbling walls on top of being weary or unwell?   Not this Granny! And I hope not you!

Immediately after reading today’s devotion I prayed and thanked God for this warning and ask Him just what I should do to move myself even further from the edge.  In His faithfulness He brought to my mind many who were lonely and hurting today.  I prayed for them then made telephone calls to a couple of those that He brought to my mind.

What do you do to keep from nearing the crumbling walls of the pit of self pity?

Comfort of home

Here is a bit of my history of turning away after knowing.

After finding salvation through Jesus, maybe a decade or so later.. I lost my way.

It began innocently enough. I began drinking to numb some hurts regarding being literally the only one in my entire family who desired Jesus. Watching my Dad have a miraculous recovery from a devastating stroke yet seeing that he still denied the existence of God.

I began the party lifestyle that I had never experienced (because I was married at 15.. then gave birth to two children before I was 20 and became a Christian) So I gradually moved more into the world and away from Christianity.

I remember well talking w/ my very concerned pastor at the time and telling him that I knew he only saw black & white but that I was seeing gray and that I could no longer remain in a “church” situation that was so narrow.. I still believed in Jesus and was confident about my eternal destiny.

About two years into my “compromise” I found this verse:

“The man that wanders from the way of understanding will find himself in the congregation of the dead.” Proverbs 21:16

This shook me! It was upon seeing that verse that I realized I indeed had fallen away.

At the same time I found myself missing “Worship with the saints”(Oh it was so good back then)

Alcohol by then had overcome my self control. I was drinking every day, hiding the liquor from my husband & kids. I realized the harm in this and had decided to drink only on the weekends. This is not a stab at drinking- some people certainly enjoy a glass of wine or a drink without being in sin. I cannot.

I was riding my bike over by my church building and saw my Pastor outside. I stopped to talk to him and told him of my longing to worship with the congregation again. Yet I wanted him to know that I was not going to be a hypocrite and he needed to know that I still planned to drink. Of course he said.. “just come sister..we’d love to have you”.

So I came back just to worship. Within a couple of weeks I realized I couldn’t get to church due to the severe hangovers I had from my Saturday night drinking. (remember I’d given it up except for the weekends) I had such a hangover one Sunday I ask the Lord to relieve it enough for me to go worship and I would consider returning to Him fully yielded.

He did! During that morning’s worship I experienced such a communion with my precious Papa and realized I was never going to drink again. I came home and informed my sweet not “saved” non-drinking pot-head husband this news. No doubt he thought *ok I’ve heard THAT before*.

But by the grace of God I was set free. And my return to the sheep fold has been like having been alienated from your best friend or your closest family and then being reunited. It has been divine. My faith is sure and my resolve is firm. I’ve been in the darkness and I’ve been in the Light. No matter how “comfortable we manage to make our presentation, the two are not compatible. Light ALWAYS overcomes darkness.

I’m thankful that I never got to the point that I could deny who Jesus is or the work He had already accomplished in me.

Joy unspeakable!  Joy unspeakable and perfect peace.. if indeed you have tasted.. Nothing else satisfies.

1st Thessalonians 5:23-24

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it”.

]]> http://switchinggranny.com/have-you-ever-turned-away-after-knowing-jesus-i-did/feed 2 http://switchinggranny.com/for-those-who-face-chronic-illness http://switchinggranny.com/for-those-who-face-chronic-illness#comments Thu, 13 Jan 2011 01:43:23 +0000 iGranny http://switchinggranny.com/?p=239 This video includes the lyrics for deaf, hearing impaired, or other uses. We believe that hope is viral. In September 2009, the band 1000 Generations released this video for their song “Fail Us Not” (from their album “Turn Off the Lesser Lights”). Both the song and video are born from honest stories

Max Lucado’s newest book “Fearless” is timely, encouraging and exceptionally easy to read.

Some of the chapter subtitles are as follows:

Fear of Not Mattering

Fear of Disappointing God

Fear of Running Out

Fear of Not protecting our children

Fear of Dying

Fear that God is Not Real

Max takes these all too common fears and shares the scripture verses to give the

reader the spiritual tools to over come and live in trust and assurance of God’s love and promises.

I love how Max can simplify complex topics by breaking them down to easy to grasp pieces.

No new revelations to be found in this book. Just a re-examine of the truths that
give us the assurance to live in peace even in the midst of life’s storms.

This would be a good book to share with a small group for the encouragement it
provides. Included is a discussion guide to facilitate small group study and discussion.

Previously I’d not read many of Max Lucado’s books; That is about to change!

Additional content and information about Fearless are available at The Fearless Book Site, and readers are invited to share their stories, pictures and words of encouragement there.

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