Remembering a sign: "GO TO CH_ _CH" "What's missing?

These aren’t my words or any others for that matter. The words I write today come from The Book, the Book that was breathed by the God of Love who speaks to His people and shows them the way:
“Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today…” (Deut. 5:1).
“Wait a minute…, what’s that got to do with me? It’s just religion, and I just want God. I can have God in any place of creation, please just don’t ask me to ‘Go to Church!’
“I hear what you say, and it’s a rough and rocky road at times to sit in a seat in a building made with brick, filled with people who, well, yes, quite honestly…are hypocrites! But can you suffer to hear some persuasion -not from me! But from God Himself! Yes, He speaks and quite honestly, to get the focus off of ‘us’ and on to what matters most – the Cross!”
“Don’t even think for a second that any of this points to you – of something ‘you’ve got to do!’ Please read a bit of God’s word to hear that He’s already done it! “It is finished!” Complete!  And quite honestly the only reason we step foot in church is to say, “Thank You Jesus for giving me breath and when the day comes – I don’t have to fear death!”
“…Because the blood of bulls and and goats is powerless to take sins away. Hence, when He (Christ) entered into he world, He said, Sacrifices and offerings You have not desired, but instead You have made ready a body for Me [to offer];” (Hebrews 10:4,5. Amplified).
“In burnt offerings and sin offerings You have taken no delight. Then I said, Lo, here I am, come to do Your will, O God; [to fulfill] what is written of Me in the volume of the Book.” [Psalm 40:6-8]. (Hebrews 10:6,7, Amplified).
And just to let you know, it seems all the same is repeated. I don’t know why God says the same thing twice, but maybe…well, He knows, the Bible says He is All Wise:
“When He said just before, you have neither desired nor have You taken delight in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings, all of which are offered according to the Law.”
“He then went on to say, Lo [here] I am, come to do Your will. Thus He does away with and annuls the first (former) order [as a means of expiating sin] so that He might inaugurate and establish the second (latter) order.[Psalm 40:6-8).
So out of curiosity I turn to Psalm 40 to read what it says. I write it down here so we can hear it again, oh my – for the third time. (There must be something here that the Good Shepherd wants His sheep to hear:)
“Sacrifice and offering You do not desire, nor have You delight in them; You have given me capacity to hear and obey [Your law], a more valuable service than] burnt and sin offerings which You do not require. Then said I, Lo , I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God; yes, Your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:6-8)
People, just so you can be reminded, Jesus obeyed the will of His Father. And if He didn’t say, Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42New Living Translation). We would have no hope. No hope for this life and life eternal. No hope to get through the walk we must make on this thorny ground, no hope for peace, no hope for a  mind that is sound!
Go to church for ONE REASON ONLY: To give thanks to God and give Him the praise He deserves – for being  ‘patient and kind’ and so ‘longsuffering’! For being willing to walk the ‘Via Dolorosa’ as an innocent Lamb being brought to the slaughter. He didn’t wait for us to ‘get it right’ and ‘get our ducks all in order!’ He said to His Father who art in Heaven, “Your will be done as it is in heaven…”
“Whereas this One (Christ), after He had offered a single Sacrifice for our sins [that shall avail] for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, Then to wait until His enemies should be made a stool beneath His feet.” (Hebrews 10:12,13).
“For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy.And also the Holy Spirit adds his testimony to us [in confirmation of this]. For having said,
“This is the agreement (testament, covenant) that I will set up and conclude with them after those days, says the Lord: I will imprint My laws upon their hearts, and I will inscribe them on their minds -on their inmost thoughts and understanding.” (Hebrews 10:15, 16.)
So I will repeat the words of Psalm 40 because the Holy Spirit is alive in me, for anyone who thinks there is no proof – the proof that God will show you each day – is courage and faith in other lives you see. “I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly, (here on the keys of my computer!) I do not seal my lips, as you know, O lORD. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.”(Psalm 40: 9,10).
I desire to persuade people to ‘go to church’ to give thanks to Jesus for giving us life…but not only that, Psalm 40 has penned for us, the focus of our cry. So get your eyes off the people and get them on GOD – talk to Him, cry to Him, just go to give thanks, seek His face with all of your heart, the words are written, here is a start:
“Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs on my head, and my heart fails within me. ” (Ps. 40:11,12).
“Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me. May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame.
‘But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love your salvation always say, “The LORD be exalted!” (Psalm 40:13-16).
Yes, I write too many words to have many readers, but let me end with more of what God says, my words aren’t important, but He…is all Wise:
“Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter the [Holy of] Holies [by the power and virtue] of the blood of Jesus, By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain [veil of the Holy of Holies], that is, through His flesh; And since we have [such] a great and wonderful and noble Priest [Who rules] over the house of God, 
“Let us come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith, [that is, by the leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom and goodness,] having our heart sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and with our bodies cleansed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:19-22, Amplified).
Yes, in all of that, we go to church with our eyes on ONE Person only! “So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess, and our acknowledgment of it, 
for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word! (exclamation point mine, Hebrews 10: 23).
“GO TO CH__CH!” This was a sign we would see as we drove down the road at a local church. The sign then said, “What’s missing?”… UR!
Can I persuade you to ‘go to church’! I have already given you the reasons why, but there is one other reason: because someone will be encouraged when they see you there!
 

We support our men and women in blue!

We support you, men and women in blue: truly – the human race misses the mark when they don’t respect and admire and give thanks for all you do.
The ‘loud minority don’t know what’s going on, but there is a ‘silent MAJORITY’ that knows GOD is on the THRONE, and He is watching out for you. The Bench He sits on is true and right…
Take courage men and women in blue –
this ‘silent MAJORITY’ PRAYS for YOU! Look up – God is Good and God is Just. Remember  -Jesus – KNOWS what you’re going through…
tonirypkema

What do you mean "we've been warned!"

“WARNING…”
Have we been warned and don’t even know it? Isn’t this the ‘information age’ where messages go out instantly throughout the planet?
Since the words, “Peace and Safety” are  so loudly shouted, do we not care to check for ourselves if there is ‘truth’ about it? We check in on the news, but do we really believe we are in control, and that since ‘man’ is so advanced we can just do as we choose?
We believe we have ‘advanced’ to such intelligence…but I will simplify the WARNING from a text for those a bit older than infants! Taken from the Children’s International Bible written for those of young age, perhaps you will share your ear a minute with the prophet Jude, who wrote a letter of only 1 page!
Yes, the Warning is simplified to its ‘simplest’ level, and you will not find it to rhyme – but please, be as a child and give the prophet Jude a few moments of time. He begins his letter “From Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James to all who have been called by God…” And he gives a blessing right from the start, “All mercy, peace, and love be yours.” 
“Dear friends,…I want to remind you of some things that you already know: Remember that the Lord saved his people by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. But later the Lord destroyed all those who did not believe. And remember the  angels who had power but did not keep it. They left their own home. So the Lord has kept these angels in darkness. They are bound with everlasting chains, to be judged on the great day.” (Jude 1: 3, 5,6).
Today, we understand that there are two voices: “This is the word of God given by Jude.” or “I don’t believe! You can have your fairytale, I hate to be rude!”
But, just so you’ve heard the word…IF IT BE TRUE (!),  at least you will know what was said…it’s up to you:
“Also remember the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and the other towns around them. They acted as the angels who did not obey God. Their towns were full of sexual sin and men having sexual relations with men. They suffer the punishment of eternal fire, as an example for all to see.”(Jude 1: 7)
These are the words written by Jude, so,so, SO LONG ago, for me and for you: “It is the same with these people…they are guided by dreams. They make themselves dirty with sin. They reject God’s authority…these people say bad things about what they do not understand. They do understand some things. But they understand them not by thinking, but by feeling, the way dumb animals understand things. And these are the very things that destroy them. It will be bad for them. They have followed the way that Cain went. To make money, they have given themselves to doing the wrong that Balaam did. They have fought against God as Korah did. And like Korah, they will be destroyed.”
These are words of warning tucked in the back of The Book. But it’s only one page…don’t get mad at me, I’m just jotting down what is written. If God is God…then perhaps we should listen:
“…They are like dirty spots in the special meals you share together. They eat with you and have no fear. They take care of only themselves. They are clouds without rain. The wind blows them around. They are trees that have no fruit when it is time and are pulled out of the ground…these people do shameful things in the same way waves make foam. They are like stars that wander in the sky. A place in the blackest darkness has been kept for them forever.” 
 This is Jude 1:12-13. I’m just writing what was written. But the warning continues from this prophesy, perhaps we should read even if just curiosity:
“Enoch, the seventh descendant from Adam, said this about the people:”Look, the Lord is coming with thousands and thousands of his holy angels. The Lord will judge every person. He is coming to judge everyone and to punish all who are against God. 
“He will punish them for all the evil they have done against him and he will miss the sinners who are against God he will punish them for all the evil things they have said against him.”
“These people always complain and blame others. They always do the evil things they want to do. They brag about themselves. The only reason they say good things about other people is to get what they want.”(Jude 1:14-16).
Ouch! Yes, these are words of warning, but keep reading for help and hope, and what to do. Perhaps if you don’t already, it is time to believe these words are true:
“Dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said before. They said to you, “in the last times there will be people who laugh about God. They will do only what they want to do-things that are against God.”
“These are the people who devide you. They do only what their sinful selves want. They do not have the Spirit. But dear friends, use your most holy faith to build yourselves up strong. Praying for the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love. Wait for the Lord Jesus Christ with his mercy to give you life forever. Show mercy to people who have doubts…”(Jude 1:19-21).
So, is there any good news?
“Yes!”! Praise God!””God is strong and  can help you not to fall. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and give you great joy. He is the only God. He is the One who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time passed, now, and forever. Amen.”(Jude 1:24-25).
In the simplest of words we have been warned. If it is true that God is in fact GOD, Then we best take heed and bow the knee  and affirm Him, and exalt Him, as our own Father and finally make the choice to acknowledge His Son and give Him what He deserves, our praise and all glory!”
 
 

"What if the words were not written?"

I wrote this on September 7th, 2013. That date doesn’t really matter, but, you see, September 8, 2010 I sat for the very first time in an infusion chair to receive chemotherapy to fight the breast cancer that was posing a threat to my life – and people PRAYED! Family prayed, church family prayed, neighbors prayed, missionary friends had children praying…And I am 5 years out! Halleluiah! However, the BATTLE of the thought-life still continues! And some of us have to fight our ‘natural’ thoughts as if they were cancer, because most of the time…they are. But GOD is bigger and He is able ! Rejoicing in life today…

We hear the sirens! We must wake up and be ready!

When you hear the siren sounding, behind on the road, what do we do? We slow down, pull to the side, quiet the noise to get the full picture…
The alarm is sounding! Can we even hear it today? We CAN know what’s going on! But we have to slow down, and pull to the side and quiet the noise so the questions can be answered! Like a child, be ready to ‘not know everything’ but to listen and to learn and to even be instructed. “Stop-Look-and Listen” are powerful words to safety- otherwise the fire will overcome and  it WILL ‘destruct-us!’
“STOP!” But many, are shouting and fighting and carrying on, like toddlers in a tantrum to get their own way! “Stop! we must, and without delay!” We must quiet ourselves like a child who’s grown! Did we forget what we teach our own children at home? There is an alarm sounding now, but we must be quiet  to hear it. We hear talk of “Peace,Peace, you can go back to sleep!” but fists are being raised and the heat index is rising – the roar is so loud it sounds like oceans crashing!
“Stop!” But even in that there is only anger and death – even to authorities and those that bring us ‘rest’! We must STOP – we must LOOK, and we must be as children needing instruction. The one’s with the ‘loud-speakers’ have got it all wrong! They’ve been deceived and their message is hate and lies! There is no safety, there is no rest, there is no peace,…but God, HE does  – NOT – FRET!
“The Loud voices speak that God is ‘no-where’ and the Word that He breathes is nothing more than fable. It is true that God seems silent that He’s not even aware…But we must Stop – Look, and do even more than that, we must LISTEN because the siren is sounding: “BEWARE!” Because God IS, and God sees, and God knows, and He sits in heaven and laughs (Psalm 2)! GOD – is HERE right now, whether or not one believes in HIM or some  ‘golden calves’!”
“He will bring about events, as He’s done in the past, that will silence the noise and even bring down the sword, and everything He says, DOES come to  PASS- and He has said, ” “THEN they will KNOW that I Am the LORD!” (Ezekiel 36:23). “Then they will know,…” over and over again, the Lord has spoken this Word!”
“The alarm is sounding – don’t you know how late it is? Time is running out! Wake up from your sleep (and your inner fury) – the coming of the Lord is near! Stop and HEAR! The school’s won’t teach this story anymore, but please be assured it’s at the very door.”
Are you wrestling inside, with the noises of intolerance: “You don’t make sense! You frustrate me with your rhetoric! Leave me alone, I don’t have time for this!”
“The alarm is sounding, it’s time to wake up! Stop-Look-and Listen! these are words that save lives: “You don’t have time to NOT give an ear. Let me make myself very clear. There are two roads! There is heaven and hell!  There was a great flood years upon years ago, and just “as the days of Noah WERE, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”(Matthew 24:37).  God is on the throne! And as the nations rise up against Him and against His Anointed, He IS GOD…trust me!  It would be wise to BELIEVE  in faith without ‘seeing’ than to later…SEE with  unimaginable GREAT GRIEVING!”
The siren is sounding, at least believe me in that – so STOP what you are doing and at least take a LOOK. LISTEN to reason…listen I say, God LOVES YOU! You might not believe it, but that doesn’t change what’s TRUE, the fact of the matter is: God has always believed…in you.”
Noah and the ark, (it is a true story), but ‘believe it or not’, Noah took 120 years to complete it! So that many, many could hear of the dangers that were coming and make the right choice to Listen to the Way and Walk in the Truth and Discover Life as they walked through the Door, that they might live…forevermore.
“The night is far gone, the day of His return will soon be here. So quit the evil deeds of darkness and put on the armor of right living, as we who live in the daylight should!…ask the Lord Jesus Christ to help you live as you should, and don’t make plans to enjoy evil…” Romans 13:13,14, Living Bible).
So what is ‘the day of His return?’:(Matthew 24:29-31, Living Bible) “Immediately after the persecution of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give light, and the stars will seem to fall from the heavens, and the powers overshadowing the earth will be convulsed. “and then at last the signal of my coming will appear in the heavens and there will be deep mourning all around the earth. And the nations of the world will see me arrive in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And I shall send forth my angels with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they shall gather my chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven…”
“Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words remain forever…” (Matthew 24:35).
“The world will be at ease – banquets and parties and weddings – just as it was in Noah’s time before the sudden coming of the flood; people wouldn’t believe what was going to happen until the flood actually arrived and took them all away. So shall my coming be…” Matthew 24:37-39).
 

"Sigh"…is there a 'Remedy?' "YES! There always is!"

Who feels a ‘heaviness of spirit?’ Do you? I believe we all do.”Sigh”…is there a ‘remedy?’
Perhaps the remedy is a ‘change of garments.’ The Bible teaches that there is a‘garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness’.(Is. 61:3).
We are ‘heavy in heart’. Some of us know why. Others don’t, but there is a ‘heaviness’ of pressure! Our heads hurt, we take a ‘remedy’. Our stomachs ache, we look for a ‘remedy’. The list goes on and on physically and even emotionally, doctors have ‘remedies’ of some sort. But we are not 2 dimensional – what about the Spiritual?
There is a Great Physician, and He wants his children WHOLE! His office is always open. His price is affordable, that is if ‘FREE’ works for you!  He is only visited by those who are broken and weak and at the end of their own resources -but He is available 24/7, to any of those!
He hears those who come ‘whole-heartedly’ to Him. The cry of His patients are very often: “Save me, O God; for the waters are come up to my neck – they threaten my life. I sink in deep mire,…  I have come into deep waters, where the floods overwhelm me.” (Psalm 69:1-2,Amplified). “O God, save my life! I’ve come back again!”
These are the cries of the ‘poor in spirit. Not just once , but in repetition: “Rescue me out of the mire, and let me not sink; let me be delivered from those who hate me and from out of the deep waters. Let not the flood waters overflow and overwhelm me, neither let the deep swallow me up…” (Ps. 69:14). But the Great Physician knows, He Hears the cries.  He sees it all before they even look in His eyes! He knows our name before we even speak, and He knows the very reason we cry in His ears: “I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; my eyes fail with (hopefully) waiting for my God.”(Psalm 69:3).
He says, “Follow Me.” (Matthew 9:9). “I make you lie down in pastures of green. I will bring you to  still waters. I will restore your soul. I will comfort you with My words and My Helper will come and remind you that I AM, even though NOT SEEN!” My words are not as the world professionals speak,  but My Word brings Peace, a peace that will go beyond even all you can understand and see.  By ‘faith’ and faith only will you receive My Words. Faith is the key to the R-E-M-E-D-Y!
“Choose for yourself today- you may choose the ‘prescriptions from the world’  or you may choose ‘wholeness from the Lord’. Would you prefer to ‘go it alone’ and ‘do it your way’ or would you like to follow Me, are you willing to hear what I say?  Take off the ‘old-dirty’ garments and I will provide you with garments of praise. I will. I AM the Great Physician:“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor; He has sent me to heal the broken hearted,…” do you want to hear more? ” “… to proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;…”(Is. 61:1). I AM the great Physician,  in whom healing and wholeness is found!”
The Great Physician, the I Am is waiting: ” …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…”(Is. 61:3).
Is this an ‘acceptable time?’ “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; If he thirsts, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:19-21).
Perhaps all this pain and agony has brought about an ‘acceptable time’ to meet the ‘Great Physician face to face,  not just once, but everyday!’ The remedy, the remedy for our heavy hearted souls. Today, tomorrow, this prayer never grows old:
“But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord. At an acceptable and opportune time, O God, in the multitude of Your mercy and the abundance of Your loving-kindness hear me; and in the truth and faithfulness of Your salvation answer me.” (Psalm 69:13).”…I am poor and sorrowful, and in pain. Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.” We Exalt Your name on high! The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit – No longer, Me  – Myself –  and I!”
Can you see the gracious smile of our God the Father in Heaven, as He gestures to His Son to ‘speak the prescription’, the words that He spoke on the hill to the crowd:  “Now go and be blessed and happy, even to the point of being envied and spiritually prosperous ! Be filled with life-joy and satisfaction with My favor and My salvation, (even if you are in jail with evil and hateful people, even if you are scorned and mocked), for the ‘kingdom of heaven’ ITSELF is yours. (Matthew 5). I AM able to do exceedingly abundantly above all you ask or even think, according to My power that works mightily in you!”(Eph. 3:20.) I Am ABLE !  And I will open Heaven’s Doors!”
The Key is Faith, the Remedy is ME: “For the Lord hears the poor and needy, and despises not His prisoners [His miserable and wounded ones]. Let Heaven and earth praise Him…!” (Psalm 69: 33,34). Today, tomorrow, over and over again, “Let – the – praise-  begin!”
Do not fret if you can’t find a garment! For the older, try on:  “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…” For the young, we know the song:  “Jesus loves me this I know!”
 
 

When we see our 'Elijah' no more…Remembering my mentors!

“Then it happened, as they continued on and talked,…”
they meaning Elijah and Elisha. Elijah was a leader, a role model,  a guide to Elisha, and Elisha was a like- minded companion for Elijah. Do you remember the story?
“Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” 2 Kings 2:11.
The very next verse says it all of Elisha, “So he saw him no more.” 2 Kings 2:12.
Did you have an Elijah who was used mightily by the Lord as he walked in obedience to the Lord? You might have had an Elijah who was a guide and an example of faith and trust in God who ‘went up into heaven.’ And as Elisha, you can ‘see him no more’.
Well, what did Elisha do then? It says in 2 Kings 2:13, “Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the Jordan.”
The Jordan separated Elisha from the other side that he had come with Elijah. This is now a time of separation.  But perhaps it is a time to take hold of that mantle of our Elijah and test all that we have learned. We will take hold of that mantle and as Elisha asked, you and I will ask as well, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” 2 Kings 2:9.
But I need specifics. Are there words that describe this spirit of Elijah? I need something to hold on to.
God showed me, the words  have already been written. They have been written by the Apostle Paul in Phil 1:20-26,NIV,
“Yes, and I will continue to rejoice…what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage,”…(Isn’t this what our Elijah had?  A rejoicing heart, an  expectation and hope in God and God alone, and sufficient courage!)”…so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
“If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I don’t know, I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith,…Phil. 1:22-25.”(and wasn’t their every breath used to help us progress in our own faith and joy in the Lord?)
But that is not all, as we take hold of the mantle of our Elijah, can you hear these words, “So that through my being with you…your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.”Phil 1:26.
That’s it! Can my joy in Christ Jesus continue to overflow on account of that life lived out for God?
Perhaps it is a time of separation from our Elijah so that we can go back and stand on the truth that was so powerfully lived out in them, and begin to move forward on our own, determined to trust in God no matter what, and take hold of the mantle which simply reminds you and me,
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
So that ‘Christ might be exalted in our body, whether by life or by death’ and that we would continue on and ‘overflow’ with  the joy of the Lord!
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1,20.)

Building walls from 'words'? Be open-minded!

Building ‘walls’ from ‘words’ of the imagination! So, who really is the one who is ‘closed minded?!’
People can use the words, “religious people” and paint a whole lot of pictures! Thus building a wall, brick by brick. So, I ask that you ‘suffer’ from me 500 words or more and take a peek over the bricks that might be there. Think about a math problem in which you did everything right, but still  got the wrong solution!  All because the problem was completed without obeying the ‘order of operations!’
So, some put themselves on one side and the ‘religious people’ on the other, because it’s just the order of the day…agreeing with the thoughts of man streaming from all the avenues of  media, without taking even a moment to ‘check out’ to see… To check out a Book – The Book, that’s been written – of history and battles,and prophesy fulfilled. Of wisdom and knowledge and  poetry and science. A Book of mystery, and future events,  and even above all that, a Book of Love and even, a Book of romance.
Yes, I’m talking about the #1 Bestseller of all time, forever – the Bible … but PLEASE give me 500 words, don’t roll your eyes, JUST breathe! If people took time to walk  with Jesus in the curriculum of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John, they would discover that Jesus was angered INTENSELY by the ‘religious people’ of His day! So reading the Bible and living by it’s Power does NOT make one ‘religious’, not one bit, Not in ANY WAY!
“That Book is ‘religion’ –  all about do’s and don’ts – and being ‘good’ and all that!” The Bible is boring and, well,… it’s ‘religion, and fables, and doctrines of men, –  it’s for women!  And it’s got the ‘J’ word all written within it! I can have God, He’s everywhere, you know. I believe in the mountains, the oceans, the snow!”
” Well, let’s talk about food, that’s something you know! Our physical bodies need food! For example, if the only food you KNOW are gummy bears and grilled cheeses… And someone invites you to walk through the door of  a house presenting  fresh fruits, and breads, (or, fish, eggs, and veggies), will you say, “I only believe what I know, and you’re a ‘health nut, and so,… you do what ‘feels good’ to you, and I will just be happy – on my own.”
“How sad is that, you can clearly see in this picture that so much is missing just by ‘being closed minded! “Please Excuse my Dear Aunt Sally” is the acronym for the order in math! It doesn’t make sense, but to get the problem right you have to multiply before division! So it really doesn’t matter if addition comes first and you ‘feel like’ adding, whatever lies in those parenthesis must come FIRST or it’s like ‘striking out’ while you’re batting!
‘What does someone need to do that you might ‘taste and see’ that there is so much more! What would it take for you to be willing to ‘walk through the Door?'” Failure to Love? or Failure to be Kind? or Failure to have Self- control? You really can’t ‘see’ these things in each and every day, but when they are lacking, you KNOW! And the lack of them, well,…
you see, an apple tree with just leaves – who wants that?! No, you want the tree with the fruit! So if the order of your operations are just a mess, and you’re sick of running from vise after vise – don’t you worry one little bit – it’s not ‘religious’ to be ‘poor in spirit’…it’s the first step to paradise.
Walk a few steps with Jesus, read the Book of Matthew chapter 5…(OK, even in secret, if you must, He’s aware!) But I’ll share what He expressed to the crowd in my words: “Oh how happy you are when you are ‘poor in spirit’ for the kingdom of heaven is yours!”
You have ‘No Power to Love’? ‘No Power for Patience’? ‘No Power to have Self-Control’? ‘No Power for Joy’? No ‘Power for Peace’? You are ‘Poor in Spirit’, you are. But the Door is Jesus, and if you call out His name…He will fill you full with His Spirit! (You see, He walked out in the open for you and for me, and took the punishment for every wrong turn we made on the cross. He rose again, He is alive!)  Walking with Jesus, this is NOT RELIGION – this is LIFE!
I really must go, I’ve gone over in words…but please don’t ever call me ‘religious’. But yes, you can surely say, that – I truly – love – Jesus! It’s kind of like doing a math problem, and following the order of operations! Parenthesis first! Parenthesis (FIRST)! No objections!
 
 

I didn't know…but I 'knew it all!'

I didn’t know –
but I ‘knew it all!’ I was self-propelled. I was living, so I thought… and the theme to my rhythm was,”Nothing’s gonna rain on my parade” and “I’ll do it my way!” My thoughts were loud and clanging inside my head and they ‘breathed fire’ I suppose and when I looked in the mirror the reflection was often, “I am woman hear me roar!” …yet deep, deep inside, where no one could see, not even myself in all my complexity –  was a pit so dark and empty and I didn’t know…
but it was filled to the brim with doubt and insecurity.
Why do I struggle to write these words? What’s the purpose anyhow?
If I can spare one single soul from ‘walking the hell’ of internal insanity- it is worth it! It is worth it! I will fight for the words that might keep some interest. I will fight because…
fear and doubt enveloped me and there was NO POWER to escape their snare. My ‘goals’ were but vapor, I was standing on ‘sinking ground,’ I was ‘grasping for the wind! My dreams…they had wings. My mind at times felt spinning and chaotic, without being sound. So I ran in ‘self-destructive’ path each and every day. Two steps forward and 5 the other way!
I hope you don’t know this place in which I’m writing. I hope you don’t understand a single word I say…but I write, just in case there is even, just one –  who can  end up writing the very same story. So in 500 words I plan to write a novel, because we just don’t have time for these things. So we race and rush to keep up with the ‘urgent’ that we don’t even have time for our ‘dreams’.
A song written years ago by Warwick to Alfie, asks the same questions as I, when the road I was on suddenly split 2 directions: “What’s it all about Alfie? Is it just for the moment we live?…Are we meant to take more than we give? Or are we meant to be kind?”
“And if, only fools are kind, Alfie, then I guess it is wise to be cruel.”
“And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie, what will you lend on an old golden rule?”
So I listened with intensity to the words of the song, hoping for some answers to find: “I believe in love, Alfie. Without true love we just exist…until you find the love you’ve missed, you’re nothing Alfie.” So I pondered this thought …’Until you find the love you’ve missed, your nothing Alfie, …your nothing Alfie,… your nothing… until you find the love you’ve missed…
I was  missing ‘true love’. ‘Without ‘true-love’ we just exist…’ I didn’t know, but I had to KNOW True Love.
But then I learned, that in all things ‘bad’,  in the chaos, the sickness, the great loneliness inside – True Love held out His Hand… to me. I was hungry, I was broken, I was a mess, beside… But True Love reached way down in that deep- dark pit, and He said, “Let there be light,!”  and there was light!
Even when no one else would, True Love held out His Hand, and He forgave me and He took my old-hard stubborn heart, and He gave me a new one and He breathed in me life.  And, He says to me daily, “I love you. Will you be my Bride?”
“What’s it all about, Alfie? Alfie, it’s all about True Love- His name is Jesus. He  – will –  never –  leave your side!

A preacher's daughter called a prayer meeting for our nation:

Today…like never before, WE MUST PRAY FOR OUR U.S. of A!
Anne Graham Lotz has recently had  9 days set apart for prayer for those willing… “MAYDAY! MAYDAY! A Distress Call For Prayer” was what it was called. Day 6 entered into a time of confessing National sin. God has used the daughter of a preacher, in a prayer written for us to pray, to inform us of all the ‘wrong turns’ our country as a whole has made. Personally, individually, one by one we must choose to ‘turn’ around in our thinking, in our actions, in our ways – God doesn’t look at nations…He looks at individual HEARTS! But, the ‘prayer’ myself always comes easy, but for the nation…I need some help!
May the prayer for Day 6 of MAYDAY! MAYDAY help us find the words to pray:  (by Anne Graham Lotz) “…Now, Lord God of our Fathers, we turn to You and confess the sin of our beloved nation, United States of America.
We are appalled by the blatant sin that is all around us. We dare not lift up our faces before You. We are covered with shame. How could we, in our arrogance, pride and rebellion, dare to even think, much less discuss and legalize defiance of your institution of marriage? How could we publicly celebrate relationships that are an affront and a contradiction to Your Creator’s instructions for living the life You have graciously given us?
How can we willingly, intentionally exterminate life that You created and that bears Your image…for our own convenience? Life is still precious…to You. All life. Your rules still apply. Your principles still work. Your instructions are still valid. Your opinion still matters. More than anyone else’s. How could we even imagine that nine Supreme Court justices could overturn what You have said? How could we have reached the conclusion that…
What we want is so vital,
What we think is so critical,
What we feel is so crucial…
That we elevate ourselves over You?…
We are so ashamed that our nation that was founded on faith in You has turned its back on You. And we know better. Our history records the faith of our fathers. If You do not judge us, then You will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. We have had so much more truth than the Sodomites did, and therefore we are more accountable for our sin. We have heard Your warning. The Day of the Lord is near and it’s going to be ugly. In response, we fall at the foot of the Cross and repent of every sin that made the death of Jesus necessary. Every sin that even now is provoking Your judgement.
We confess national addiction to sex. To money. To pleasure. To entertainment. To pornography. To technology. To drugs. To alcohol. To food. To television. To popularity. To ourselves.
We confess we no longer fear You, and thus we have not even the beginning of wisdom with which to handle the vast knowledge we possess.
We confess our foolishness of denying You as the one, true, living God, our Creator to whom we are accountable, living as though our lives are a cosmic accident with no eternal significance, purpose or meaning.
We confess our greed that has run up trillions of dollars or national debt.
We confess our arrogance and pride that has led us to think we are sufficient in ourselves.
We confess to believing that the prosperity of our nation is because we are great while refusing to acknowledge that all blessings come from Your hand.
We confess that we depend upon our military might and our weapons systems to protect us from harm and danger, while denying, defying, and ignoring You.
We confess that we have succumbed tot he pressure of pluralism in our desire to be inclusive so that we honor other gods as though You are just one of many.
We confess that we have allowed the material blessings You have given us to deceive us into thinking we don’t need You.
We confess that we feel entitled to what someone else has earned, instead of taking responsibility for ourselves and our families as we trust in You.
We confess that we live as though material wealth and prosperity will bring happiness.
We confess that we have marginalized truth and mainstreamed lies.
We confess that we have become one nation under many gods, divided and polarized, with license to sin and justice that no longer follows the rule of law.  (Some of these confessions have been taken with permission from the Daniel Prayer, Anne Graham Lotz, Zondervan Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI 2016).
Therefore, we turn to You with tears of shame and a heart of fear for the judgement we are provoking. The Spirit within us witnesses to the truth that the Day of the Lord is soon! You are backing away from us as we tell You to get out of our national life. We are losing Your blessing as a nation. So we turn to You with humility. With sincerity. Out of necessity. With a desperate sense of urgency. 
We turn to You with ___________
Hear our prayer. Forgive our sin. Heal our land. We are standing in the gap for our nations. In the name of the One who was with You in the beginning, the One to whom our forefathers looked, and the One who is with us today. JESUS
We come to You…
we bow before You….
in His name and for Your glory.
                                            Amen.
Amen. Amen.
Thank you Anne Graham Lotz for sharing your prayer that we may all pray.
And forgive me, that I did not include the beginning of her prayer 6,  but for those who are interested, Anne begins her prayer as we all must in acknowledging the Father, and ‘hallowing His name: “We worship You, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You are the living God of our nation’s founding fathers: George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and many others. We pledge allegiance as one nation under You. Every time we use American money to buy or sell, we make the statement that in You we have placed our trust.
We acknowledge that You are the One who has set us high above all the nations on the earth. You have made us the head and not the tail. We have led the free world. The whole world has known that we are identified with You, and they have respected us.
Again and again, You have given us victory over our enemies. You have blessed us when we have gone out and when we have come in. You have blessed us in our bustling cities and in our beautiful countryside. You have blessed our “fruited plain” so that we have had an abundance for ourselves and for others.
You have opened up the storehouse of Your bounty, and have blessed the work of our hands.
You have given us unprecedented prosperity so that we have lent to many nations but been debtor to none. ( this paragraph from, Deuteronomy 28:1-14). Until now. O Lord God of our Fathers, what has happened to the United States of America, the land that we love?”
Thank you Anne for encouraging us in our praying for our nation!

A gift for the King? I have only one theme – but it's not just for one day only!

(Christmas thoughts at the middle of August? Only to give the children a song! What song? What theme? O God, what should the children sing? Better yet, what do You want from …me?)
(Five years ago, a diagnosis of cancer – evasive and large and SCAREY! But the prayers carried me and God got me through faithfully- changing each cell in my body! For worse with the ‘cure’ but better for my heart, because He took the critical and filled me with ‘thanks’. “O God of Heaven, You changed me completely – I live each day as my last. So ‘Today’, ‘today’…I try to stay, but we also must look ahead. But maybe not!… maybe each day… should be lived, as if,  as if the day were Christmas!”)
A gift for the King, this Christmas coming soon… what do I give to the King? I have only one theme, but it’s not just for one day, it’s for each new day of the year. So I write a prayer, as I wait on the Lord, as I wait…on the Lord, forever:
“Take my life, and let it be, separated to You – to You, and You only. “Search me O God, and know my heart, try me and know my fears…” (Ps. 139:23). Let me not be afraid to be whole-ly Yours. Yet, You see that I am… I am afraid of man!
Give me courage! Give me strength. You are ‘my strength and my song'(Exodus 15:2). May I not be afraid to stand for You Lord, the True God of heaven, Holy and sure. Not just at Christmas, when it’s fashionable and ‘safe’, but even now in the Fall or the Spring – O God help me not ‘cave’.
“Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask You to stay, close by me forever and love me I pray…” This is the song the children sing each year, instead, let it  be my every waking prayer! Your promises God, like a sheep I forget! Help me, my Shepherd stay ever so close, keep my eyes on You Jesus, following near to Your feet …”prone to wander, Lord I feel it! Prone to leave the God I love. Take my heart Lord. Take and seal it! Seal it for Thy courts above.”
You abound in mercy and chase me down with Your love, giving me presents with mountaintops and ocean waves and spectrums and more, giving me peace beyond my comprehension and hope in the dark, giving me life everlasting that I can’t even conceive – but God through Your Son, I receive, I believe…the door of my heart is now open to You…
May I be Your soldier and follow You true. But you see every thought, every word of mine,You know. Like the weeds in my garden that grow new every day,  what a mess it becomes…weed it and prune it and wash it a-new.  If You were willing to die on the cross for me, let me make the choice Jesus, to do the ‘hard things’.
‘How Great Thou Art’ is the theme of my heart! But what did the angels sing? “Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings…” Each day I rise, may this be my phrase:  “Joy to the world, the Lord is come… let every heart, prepare Him room.” How could it be the world today? Pushing You so far away? You are the remedy it so badly needs! “God and sinners reconciled…Hark the herald Angels sing, glory to the New born King!”
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind…” Lord have mercy on us all, Your people who grow dull. May our hearts grieve over the wrong we have done. May we confess all the sin and ask for clean hearts. Father of lights, not just Christmas, but even every-day:  “See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in Your way.”I will hold fast to what is True and pray without end with hope: “You rule the world with truth and  grace and make the nations prove…
the glories of Your Righteousness and wonders of Your love!’ Your face is what I seek’, Your grace all sufficient! “No more let sin and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground. You come to make Your blessings flow…”
I’ve made room in my heart, for You dear Lord, “Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay, close by me forever and love me I pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, and take us to heaven to live with You there.”
Amen, amen, He’s let me live. Of course I will say, Amen. No fear of man, when Jesus heals. Amen, again, amen!”
(This is my prayer, this is my heart. Thankful for a brand new start,toni)

"Like a river glorious…"

When we feel the need to ‘get away’ and hang a hammock on a tree…

Perhaps a hymn will be enough for me:
“Like a River Glorious”
“Like a river glorious, Is God’s perfect peace, Over all victorious In it’s bright increase; Perfect, yet it floweth Fuller every day, Perfect, yet it groweth Deeper all the way. Stayed upon Jehovah, Hearts are fully blest; Finding as He promised, Perfect peace and rest.” 
“Like a river glorious, is God’s perfect peace!”
Hidden in the hollow Of His blessed hand, Never foe can follow Never traitor stand; Not a surge of worry, Not a shade of care, Not a blast of hurry Touch the Spirit there.”
Speaking the words of this hymn out loud, are actually helping me to ‘get away from it all!’ OK, I can’t hear the birds and the leaves of the tree, but this hymn speaks truth to my heart  and brings ‘rest’ to me: “Stayed upon Jehovah, Hearts are fully blest; Finding as He promised, Perfect peace and rest.” 
Hanging up the hammock on page 335, to ” Rock of Ages, cleft for me let me hide myself in Thee,” who would have thought that ‘the water and the blood from thy wounded side which flowed, … would wash me and cleanse me and refresh me enough, to look across the page to “Like a River Glorious!”
These words are living! There is hope! There is revival! There is power in the Spirit to  strengthen me again: “Stayed on Jehovah, hearts fully blest! Finding, as He promised, Perfect peace and rest!”
Now, you and me together, with hearts united, hearts ONE, let us go out a ‘be a blessing’ to all we meet and MORE!”
 
“