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Not Popular being Peculiar

May 17, 2011 in Church Related, discernment, Inspiration, Scripture with 0 Comments

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)

Tangible Love

March 20, 2011 in Church Related, Friends, Inspiration, testimony with 1 Comment

 

“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.

 

Have you ever turned away after knowing Jesus- I did

February 9, 2011 in Church Related, Inspiration, My Story, testimony with 2 Comments

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”.

Set your minds on things above

January 14, 2011 in Church Related, Inspiration, Scripture, testimony with 2 Comments

Lately I’ve been scanning and posting pictures that consist of nearly four decades of history from a church that began in a barn in our local community. Many people who passed through the doors of the houses or the barn or ultimately the buildings this church has called home have memories that are precious and go very deep. I’ve noticed comments on these albums (which have been posted on a face book group called “Light of the World Fellowship/Calvary Chapel of Evansville“) have been expressing a deep longing for what once was.


God has and continues a divine work through this little part of His body. I’ve often referred to this church as a spiritual train depot. God brings people through and while they’ve stopped, they have either been used mightily by Him to minister to those who remain in this church, or those who call this church their home are used to minister and draw the temporary visitors closer to the Lord Jesus before they move on in their journey.

This ministry has always been a powerful one. The teaching unusually balanced and sound. The worship uniquely precious and moving.

My heart is burdened for those who have found themselves somehow longing for those times rather than focusing on the things that God is doing now and the blessed hope of the glory that shall be revealed.

I have been longing for heaven, when we will forever experience all the above and be in His presence The One who Was and is and is yet to come!

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 10: 9-10

And “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is youra life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

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Online as in eternity I’m whole and well

October 15, 2010 in All Things Tech, Church Related, Inspiration, Multiple Sclerosis, My Story, Scripture with 1 Comment

"iMacandRosesinVase"

We all know that things aren’t always as they appear online. And I for one am grateful for this. Because since my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 2003 my journey in this life has taken a detour that I’d never imagined. I surely have more days that I’m physically horizontal than upright. Yet from your perspective I’m either out and enjoying you personally or online fully whole. Because you don’t have to see the actual real- time picture for our friendship to grow.

"LayingonSofawithLaptop"

I’m a lover of people; and without daily interaction with others I would surely be overwhelmed with depression as well as the issues of living with a chronic illness.

Yet life is full and exciting.

I’m so glad we have the technologies for interaction in New Social Media that allow me to have interesting and meaningful conversations with you from my sofa! I’m still making friends that are genuine. I’m still able to serve in my local church even while in my pajamas. I’m able to travel the world. And most importantly I’m able with the direction of the Holy Spirit to make an eternal difference right here right now!

What are your ideas on how we can help others who are chronically ill or home bound take advantage of this new medium of communication?

Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Psalm 34:5

You have done many miraculous things, O LORD my God. You have made many wonderful plans for us. No one compares to you! I will tell others about your miracles, which are more than I can count. Psalm 40:5

Breanna’s TV debut

October 30, 2009 in Church Related, Ourselves And Family, SparklesGlitter, Video with 0 Comments

Breanna loves Kids Town

October 4, 2009 in Church Related, SparklesGlitter, Video with 0 Comments

The Jesus Book

August 27, 2009 in Book Review, Church Related, Inspiration, Scripture, Video with 2 Comments

The Jesus Book TNP product page

Preview Flip Book

Alone Still I will follow

March 5, 2009 in Church Related, Inspiration, Ourselves And Family, Scripture, SwitchingGranny's Stuff with 2 Comments

I’ve again gathered with the members of my family to celebrate Christmas. *however we’re dwindling in numbers* As there are likely many of you who have had to endure this holiday season with people you loved and admired having passed away during this past year.And that is sad. Most folks are in tune to the depth of despair you must endure to have be dealing with a major holiday and death plans at the same time. I am sure that there is a loneliness in that.But when I walked into the Pre Christmas Service last Sunday I was overwhelmed by the beauty of His presence. The sacred time of offering up worship that would bring Him great joy. As He sees His chosen gathering to worship and remember what he has done for us.

Yet my dear husband was outside of the sanctuary preparing some of the food for celebration feast we were to enjoy after the church service. My precious Granddaughter was up way too late the evening before and was in a mood that was like lying on the pew not showing the least interest in the time of worship. So I walked her out to sit with her Grandfather in the other room.

As I walked back to my seat I heard the sounds of some of the most meaningful Christmas hymns to me. And I looked around and saw families who were really into worshiping our risen Lord in Spirit and in Truth. And I sat alone. I thought of the folks I know who have gathered together for generations to worship the Lord together. Especially at Christmas time.

But I wasn’t raised in one of those homes. My folks were wonderful in the non Christian since.. they loved me and they were very active in their businesses and organizations that they felt strongly about. My Mother was even the very first director of Planned Parenthood here in my home town. They weren’t church goers unless you can count the boater folks they ran with having

drinks on Sat evening out on the Ohio river and choose to meet up again the next day at the Unitarian Church to drink coffee.. sober up some and discuss issues of the day… if you call this church.. my parents really considered it a group of like minded folks who wanted to help others.

So when I was finally saved at the age of 21 I found myself all alone walking with and worshiping my precious Jesus. To my family I was becoming “one of those Jesus Freaks “So.. though none go with me still I will follow::

So my early years in the church were surely all alone. Yes I was happy to take our two sons who were 14 months apart in age.

And initially my sons were in great Sunday School programs and excelled. I was under the impression after serveral years that they had both given their hearts to God. There was fruit and much very fruitful conversation going on in our home.

My husband was not interested in going at that time. He was a pot smoker.. and felt that he’d need to give that up to come to Jesus.. so he was in no hurry. I knew I couldn’t get him into the kingdom by nagging.. but only by praying and obeying the Lord.. that tells us that our husbands can be won without the Word in 1 Peter 3 By the behavior of their wives!

Sadly to say .. once these young men grew up they did not make choices to remain in any church. Our youngest did try to come back soon before his marriage and his new wife is from a non active catholic upbringing and seems to think she has no need spiritually speaking. And I think our son believes that maybe he doesn’t have a need either.

Our oldest son who was just married a year and a half ago. Has told me recently that he is an Atheist. This was a super difficult thing to hear. Because I knew that when he was young he knew! And I know that now he is older he still knows… yet he has made choices that cause him to deny the existence of our Creator.

So again. though none go with me still I will follow.. still none go with me still I will follow.

I need you committed believing knee benders on twitter. Because when I feel that I’ve some how been called alone on this path towards the throne of God, I will ask your encouragement.

Just saying again.. that especially at this most holy time of year it is rather sad to be following all alone. And loneliness has several different reasons , yet I honestly feel that except type of grief getting through losing someone to death, the next most difficult grief is when one is walking spiritually alone because the ones they love choose not to follow

So I grew up with a family who did not know or glorify the Lord Jesus. Then I found Him when I was a brand new mother and wife. Yet my husband did not want me “preaching” at him.

My sons ultimately have grown up and by their lifestyles they aren’t seeing any need for God in their lives.

There have been other times.. serious times of being in organizations that were put in place as Christian organizations but have moved away from the actual things that made them separate in the first place. And often even among believers I’ve had to take an unpopular stand.

Allowing the one I follow when no one goes with me to hold my hand. O Praise Him The lifter of my head.