Rise! Are You Still Sleeping?

Earlier today, my younger sister was speaking to me about how she was reflecting on the Garden of Gethsemene and how she read about Jesus crying when He prayed, just before being whisked off to His death.
Tonight I sat to continue my nightly Bible reading when lo and behold I was on the very chapter my sister was talking about this morning.(Matthew 26: 36-46)I think someone is trying to tell me something.
I begin reading and notice little things like the fact that the Lord's last supper was in the home of a man who remained anonymous and a home that Jesus requested specifically.I wondered why this man's name was not mentioned and why God chose to have the last supper at that particular home. I continue to read. The Last supper was on Passover. Jesus says He will not drink from the fruit of that vine again until the day when He drinks it anew with US in His Fathers Kingdom! I start to reflect on His return and us living eternally with Him in Heaven.I think of how I am so grateful for the sacrifice and my salvation which was graciously given to me so that I can have eternal life with The Father.
After the supper they sing a hymn.I wonder which Hymn they sang. What were the lyrics of the hymn? After they sang they all went to the Mount of Olives.
I read that in the very night of the Lord's supper,our Savior is very sad. He is filled with sorrow. The Bible says unto death. He is in anguish. In this anguish He sadly asked the disciples to stay and watch with Him. Then He turned, walked a few steps, fell on His face and prayed.He prays,"If it is possible let this cup pass from me but Your will be done,not mine" After this prayer He rises to His feet, turns to the disciples and sees that after He asked them to stay and watch with Him, they were asleep. I read this and wince. The audacity is unbelievable. "What!"
He says, note the exclamation point."Could you have not watched with me for an hour? "Watch and pray" He tells them. "Watch and pray", He tells us, but we are asleep. How audacious of us. How unbelievable, that after specific instructions from Him, we dare to disregard His words and sleep. "The spirit is willing, the flesh is weak." He tells the disciples. He tells us. This was the first time He prayed... that very night, a very short time after He turns from the disciples and prays again and says the very same thing "If it is possible let this cup pass from me.Your will be done, not mine." He rises,turns toward the disciples and finds them asleep... again! They heard His words, they heard his request and chose to ignore Him and because their flesh was weak, they fell asleep.
So He left them prayed the same prayer once again. Three times He prayed that prayer. I read this and my heart is broken for the anguish and loneliness He must have felt.
After He prays the third time, He returns to the disciples and asks, " Are you still sleeping and resting?" He tells them "The hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners." He tells them, "Rise (wake up) let us be going. See My betrayer is at hand.
Are we asleep? The Lord is trying to wake us up. The hour is at hand. The sinners are betraying Him, Today they mock Him, slander Him, blaspheme against Him and we sleep when He is asking us to watch. He tells us to watch and pray but our fleshly desires drive us to sleep. There is no time to rest or sleep. It is time to watch and pray.Do not disregard Him.

Once again I have slacked in my blogging but my friend Tessa started a blog and got me interested once again in writing...so hopefully it'll stick this time.Once upon a time I loved writing but after rejection, I was traumatized. Funny,I always thought I could take rejection but I guess I can't. This is something I am not pleased with and will ask the Lord to help me through in the meantime, here's hoping I get my writing going again. Stay tuned

God Has Not Given Us A Spirit Of Fear

We hear it all the time, the verse found in 2 Timothy 1:7
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND."

Yet we can't help it can we? When it's fight or flight, most of us flee. Don't get me wrong, there are circumstances in which fleeing is the best option. If there is a fire you can't fight that fire all on your own but you can flee from it and call the firefighters to fight it for you. This is a good fear, a healthy and a rational fear.
We all have our fears, some people fear flying, others fear speaking in front of a large group of people. There are many types of fear. I can speak in front of a large group of people effortlessly, but don't put me in front of a small group of people because I may freeze.
Travel back in time and remember when your fear was at it's peak. Most of us will go back to our childhood and those old familiar fears we all have shared one time or another. A fear so intense it paralyzed us. The monsters in the closet or for some under their beds.
I remember as a child I had a terrible fear of the dark. I mean this was a fear that had me wide eyed, scanning a dark room and seeing monster shapes caused by the manner in which my sweater hung loosely, over my bedroom chair. I remember my heart beating so hard I thought it would burst. And if I wasn't looking around the room searching for non existent ogres and werewolves, I was hiding under the covers because as we all know, monsters do not have any strength and are rendered helpless over 100 percent cotton sheets.
As that little girl, I'd shut my eyes tightly and pray to God in a small whisper, so the monsters couldn't hear me. I prayed this way,tucked in,tightly snug in my sheets,invisible, not even a pinkie toe revealed, sweating, but leaving a small gap around my nose for air until I drifted off to sleep. Only to awaken in a safe, brightly lit room, sheets torn away from my body during the course of the night, totally exposed for anything horrifying to attack me. I survived yet another night of hidden monsters waiting to pounce on me in my sleep. As we all know the monsters disappear during the daytime so there was nothing to fear once the sun rose. When I look back now, I can see the silliness in this illogical anxiety.
As adults many of us have found ourselves in that familiar atmosphere of all-consuming fear. We wished we had super power sheets to serve as shields of protection but we don't.
We are older now and we are much more aware of a living God who is our protector and we are also aware that there might actually be monsters in our bedroom.

There is a spiritual warfare we have to fight. There are powers and principalities. There are real evils in this world who want nothing more than to destroy us and give us that spirit of fear.

Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The evil before us may not always be tangible. It may be elusive, invisible or vague but the presence of it can definitely be felt,especially by one who has the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. This Holy Spirit was given to us as a resource, a tool, a guide, a teacher, a helper. This is the Spirit that can overcome the spirit of fear.

POWER
The spirit of fear is a dreadfulness that can cause us to become ineffective Christians. Christians tightly wrapped inside of our "insecurity blankets" filled with terror. This is unnecessary, because God has not given us a spirit of fear so we do not have to live our lives anxiously awaiting the next assault from evil,God has given us power.

What does that mean? What does that entail? Does it include superhero strength?
Of course not because we all know that superhero strength can only be obtained by falling into a vat of some kind of toxic goo. I am kidding.
The power that God gives us surpasses that of any superhero, if superheroes existed, and we all know that they do not.
It may be hard to wrap our limited minds around it but God has given us a power like no other.
In the words of S.Charnock,"God’s power is like Himself: infinite, eternal, incomprehensible; it can neither be checked, restrained, nor frustrated by the creature."

Being mere humans we may speak often and yet fail to be heard. God speaks but once and the thunder of His power can be heard everywhere.


"The Lord also thundered from the heavens, and the Most High uttered His voice, amid hailstones and coals of fire. And He sent out His arrows and scattered them; and He flashed forth lightnings and put them to rout. Then the beds of the sea appeared and the foundations of the world were laid bare at Your rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils." Psalm 18:13-15


I praise my awesome God. If God is capable of that, why wouldn't He be able to abolish that spirit of fear and give us power to rid the pesky evils that attempt to make our lives and walk with God ineffective.

LOVE

He's given us love and God's love is uninfluenced. By this we mean, there was nothing whatsoever in the objects of His love to call it into being, nothing to attract or prompt it. The love which one has for another is because of something in them; but the love of God is free, spontaneous, un-caused. Nothing caused it to being. The only reason why God loves any is found in His own sovereign will.

"The most extensive ideas that a finite mind can frame about Divine love, are infinitely below its true nature. The heaven is not so far above the earth as the goodness of God is beyond the most raised conceptions which we are able to form of it. It is an ocean which swells higher than all the mountains of opposition in such as are the objects of it. It is a fountain from which flows all necessary good to all those who are interested in it (John Brine, 1743)."

The love that God has given to us defeats the spirit of fear.
Romans 8:35-39 Paul writes, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The Spirit of love that God give us conquers all evil and so the spirit of fear is diminished by God's love and His power. These attributes of God can defeat anything.

SOUND MIND

Finally there is the sound mind given by God that can help us to be conquerors and victorious over the enemy.

"And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard you hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7

The power over the Spirit of fear is God's power, His love and a sound mind obtained by keeping ourselves in check and maintaining a fresh mental and spiritual attitude. I often take time to analyze myself spiritually just to make sure everything is in order, and according to God's will. If something is out of place it just leaves a door open for evil to step in and try to get a hold, to make us afraid and live in fear that is not of God.

So poke your head out of the sheets and sleep restfully and fearlessly knowing God is in control. Be courageous and brave. Keep your head high in confidence because the very Creator of the universe, the Author of your life has got you "covered"

There are times in my life when I just can't think too much about what I am going to write because then it will never happen. As you can see I haven't written in a while because I am thinking too much.
I recently submitted some of my writing and was rejected and so after crying for a few days and hearing over and over about how, "It happens to all writers,Don't give up and even the best authors in the world have been rejected" I have decided to write again. Keep in mind that my blogging does not, but may include some intense thoughts and mind-changing content but, don't expect Tolstoy, Cervantes or Proust.
I promised a few blog posts ago to do some video blogging and haven't done so ...yet.
Video blogging may be more convenient and I still do intend to video blog, eventually. It's just that I find writing to be more satisfying and less high maintenance. I mean, after all, I am to vain to appear on a video blog in curlers, a robe with my morning cup of coffee in my hand, which is unfortunate because some of my best writing ideas and deep thoughts are conceived at that time. I can be very existential and quite humorous during those early hours. But I am also quite drowsy and not a morning person so that writing would not be an option for me. I'm more the type to turn on the TV and kvetch about the opinions of The View girls and then I will pray and ask God to forgive me for my anger and impatience after ranting my disagreements at the television screen. God is extremely merciful with me, but I cannot take advantage of His grace.
So once again, I ask my readers, that's right, all five of you, to be on the look out for new posts and possibly new video blogging. Maybe I'll start tomorrow....maybe.

I Love You Lord...

The music in church today is beautiful. The congregants are singing worship to the Lord. I feel His presence in a mighty way in this place. I am home. It is Sunday. The family is gathered together, all my brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are visiting our Father's house. How blessed I am! I love the Lord so much, so much so that there are no words to describe my love for Him.

Being here among Brethren, soothes me. It's a beautiful time. There are moments of great blessing and one of those moments I treasure is the moment that the church service comes to that pleasant pause, when we are all in one accord and of one mindset. When we are all just worshipping Him and everything around us fades.

It's that point, that time and place, when we are so thankful and feel so loved that it's as if we are floating on air and we are right before His very throne. The pews are gone, the other worshippers praises fade, and it's just you and God.

How wonderful! During this time, I often sing this song that best describes how I feel in those very moments of worshipping pause. I don't remember who sings it but I hear it often playing on my hubby's laptop.

"I love You Lord,
And I lift my voice.
To worship You, O my soul rejoice
Take joy my King
In what You hear
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound
In Your Ear

I love you Lord
I love You, love You Lord
I love You Lord because You first loved me..."

I love my Lord so much, that whenever I do what is not right, I ache at the thought that I have disappointed Him.

Paul says in Romans seven, verse fifteen.."I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."

I want to live for Christ, but like Paul and many others I am stumped when I do what I don't want to do. When I hurt The Lord, when I don't want to hurt Him but what I want to do is live one hundred percent for Christ and yet I don't.

How can I still say, "I love you Lord"? Well, because He STILL loves me, He is ever faithful, even when I am not.

He is merciful and lovingly kind, so much so, that when I come to Him with a pure and sincere heart, a heart in genuine anguish for disappointing Him, and ask for His forgiveness, yet again, He allows me to be at His feet and ask for forgiveness and receive it, receive it with a love that is pure, perfect, a love like no other.

"I love You Lord, and I lift my voice..."

I lift my voice in praise to Him, I lift my voice to glorify Him, I lift my voice to cry out for His forgiveness, a forgiveness so willingly given when the remorse is sincere. I lift my voice and cry tears of joy because of His love for me and the gift of salvation and because one day I will see Him face to face. I lift my voice and praise Him because I know He is waiting for me and preparing a place for me.

In John chapter fourteen and verse two, Jesus, my savior, says, "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

"...To worship You, o my soul rejoice,"

My soul is filled with joy when I worship Him. I rejoice in Him and in all that He is.

"...Take joy my King, in what You hear,"

Every praise I offer to Him, every song that I sing for Him, every word that I speak for Him, every phrase that I write down for Him, I truly desire for it to bring Him, Him, Him, JOY! It's all about Him. It's all about me pleasing Him, loving Him, worshipping Him. glorifying Him. I want Him to be happy with everything He hears coming out of my mouth and written down by my hand. Take joy, my King, in What You hear, and let it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear."


I love You Lord

My Peace I Give Unto You

I have been dealing with this disease for so long and I marvel at God's wonderful presence throughout my journey with achalasia. God has sustained me when many who I have been privelaged to meet, who have this disease, have gone. I've had it since birth and recently stopped working because it became debilitating, I'm pretty sure I've shared this before but things got so bad that My hubby put his ministry on hold for a few years to care for me.
Well, we are back and having a great time working for God and fellowshipping with the congregation and nurturing and loving them.
Yesterday was rough (healthwise) and a bit scary. Something is off. I can feel a change coming. My body is weaker.
While praying this afternoon The Lord let me know that if He chooses for this to be the beginning of the end or if He chooses to continue to sustain me, He will give me peace. And boy did He ever. I, immediately was flooded in His presence and His peace. Instantly!
If and when I do get weaker, please know that God has not left my side and I am holding on tightly to Him. I've been more than blessed to have gotten this far and will be more than blessed, if the trip, (my life), is extended.
Let this posting be of hope that when and if you ever have a situation in your life, calling out to God will give you peace.


John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."


"Jesus hold me now
I need to feel you in this place
I long for your embrace" ~ Casting Crowns

Karyn Henly

" I'm convinced the more we become like Jesus and raise our children to be like Jesus, the better influence we'll be in our community, country, and the world" ~Karyn Henley - Woman's Life Bible

Karyn Henly's Blog- http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=505960028&ref=ts

Walking with God

I love God. I know that and so does He. I don't think I say to people," I love God" enough. I realized this when I spoke with two members of the congregation yesterday. It was after Sunday School. The lesson was about being Holy. The teacher asked, "What motivates you to be holy?" He answered, "Personally what motivates me, is that I want to please God." Someone else replied that they want to be holy because they want God to know He is appreciated.

I thought to myself., "I want to be holy (separated for Christ) because I just plain out love Him. I want to be with Him. I want to walk with Him, live for Him, talk to him,etc.
After the lesson we spoke in the church "cafeteria" about why we are holy and one brother said, "It all boils down to love. The Lord says, " ...You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." He was quoting Matthew 22:37. He went on to say if you love the Lord you will be holy.

At that point. I forgot where I was. I looked away from Him and, seriously as we walked up to the sanctuary, I dreamily said, "I Love God." I said it out loud. I don't think I ever said it that way to anyone before. I said it with the deepest , most genuine sincerity and meant it with every fiber of my being.

I want to walk with God. I want to be in a constant communion with Him just because He is so wonderful. He is so merciful. His loving kindness is everlasting and His mercy endures forever. He is always faithful and I want to walk with Him because He will show me the way.

He created me for Him and I want to live for Him. Simple? No? If anyone of us thinks this isn't so simple, well, then WE should question what is distracting us from a constant communion/walk with God, cause, NOTHING should be getting in our way from walking with Him, ALL the time 24/7. Nothing, unless we allow it to.

Video Blogging

I will be attempting to video blog soon. :) on this blog

The Woman at the Well

I was reading the book of John chapter four, the story of the woman at the well, a story I've read many times before and noticed for the first time how the story offers two perspectives on salvation. It offers a viewpoint of the person offering the salvation and the side of the person receiving it. The Savior and the soon to be saved.

The story goes that Jesus was leaving Judea and on his way to Galilee, in an effort to avoid the disputes among the Pharisees going on in Judea about His ministry. To get to Galilee Jesus needed to go through Samaria. This would be all well and good except for the fact that Jews and Samaritans did not get along. Jews considered Samaritans a mixed breed and therefore they were looked upon as Gentiles and not real Jews. The Samaritans also worshipped other gods and did many atrocious things.

But this place, Samaria, is where Jesus needed to travel through.

Jesus takes a break from His journey to Galilee and stops in, of all places, Samaria. Not only does He need to go through it but now He STOPS!

In the story, it is late afternoon. We find Jesus sitting by Jacob's well and He is alone because the Disciples went into the city to buy food. Then a woman approaches the well. She begins to draw water from it when Jesus asks her for a drink of water. She immediately recognizes Jesus as a Jew and wonders why He wanted a drink from her, a Samaritan, a woman.

Here is where the story reveals an opportunity, a window, into both sides of salvation.

First let us observe the perspective of the soon to be saved Samaritan woman and while we do let's try to remember who we were and how we felt before we were saved.

As the story of the woman at the well unfolds we discover that she was a woman of ill repute. A woman who had five husbands and the man she was with now was a married man. She was in adultery. We also discover, as we read on, that she feels remorseful and ashamed. It is never written but it is picked up in the exchange between her and Jesus. She knew the life in which she was living was wrong.

How do we know that she was ashamed?

Simple, it was late afternoon when she went to draw water from the well.

It was customary for the women to draw water early in the morning while the weather was still cool. There would be no one by the well in the late afternoon, in the heat of the day. She knew this. She avoided the crowd of women by the well earlier because she was ashamed and afraid of being ostracized. She would not take the chance. She did not want to risk the stares, the name calling, the whispers , the judgement and the rejection. So she waited until the "coast was clear" and no one was around.

Can you imagine how she must have felt?

She was not a woman who flaunted her sin. She was very mortified. She was depressed.

Do you remember how you felt before you were saved?

Perhaps you were depressed, in search of a better way of life, embarrassed of your lifestyle, looking for something to fill that empty void in your life, remorseful for the things you had done that were not pleasing to God, feeling guilty and ashamed.

It is a good thing to look back every so often and remember who we were before we were saved and what it felt like. In this way we are not so quick to judge others who are not saved, so harshly, because not too long ago we were in the same place.

We were like the woman at the well but God, as always has perfect timing. Just like the woman, God placed us, in the right place at the right time so He could show us His grace, kindness ,love and compassionate mercy so that we may be saved.

Now let us look at the point of view of the one who offers salvation.

Here, we find Jesus, the Messiah, at this time and place by the well in Samaria. He is tired, as anyone would be after a long journey. He needs rest. The disciples were off getting food for Jesus and we read here that He asked for water.

He was tired, hungry and thirsty. But he knew He had to be there at that time at that place and He did not let His discomfort stop Him from showing sincere compassion, kindness and revealing salvation to a lost soul.

After being saved ourselves, have we let our personal discomfort get in the way of ministering to the needs of others with sincere compassion and kindness?

Jesus knew the woman was a Samaritan, yet He spoke to her kindly.
He sat there and when she approached, He didn't get up and leave, instead He asked for water. He spoke to her as if she were any other person in need.

Three reasons why someone would think this was not a good idea (they’d be wrong) but some people back then and perhaps now think...1. Why is Jesus talking to her, she is a woman? 2. She is a Samaritan and... 3. She is in adultery.

But Jesus saw none of that. He saw a sad and lost soul in need of salvation.

He had no favoritism. Look at the message He brought to her.

The mere fact that He struck up a conversation with her, let her see that she was significant and valued enough to be spoken to. He was not acting as if He needed to do her a favor. He did not treat her as if she were garbage. He did not look at her as if she was lower than Him AND He did not insult her intelligence when He spoke to her deep, spiritual truths.

Jesus looked beyond her exterior and saw her spiritual hunger. And He valued her even though He knew her failings.

Later in the chapter we will see how she admitted to her adultery. She was honest and owned up to her sin. She acknowledged it and yet He still valued her.

Like Jesus, we need to offer salvation to the lost sinner with kindness, without judgment without demeaning the person or without thinking we are better than they are.

Remember where you were then and remember who you are now.

There but for the grace of God, go I.

At one time we were at the receiving end like the woman at the well and now many of us are at the giving end, offering salvation , like Jesus.

Two experiences. Two perspectives.

Talk About Patience

I was reading the Book of Genesis today and was struck by Abraham and Sarah's story. I've read it a million times but you know how it is. There is always something new in God's Word. I read how God promises Abraham that he will have a son and that Sarah will give birth to the son and if you do your math, you'll realize that it took twenty five years for that promise to be fulfilled. Twenty five years!! The Bible doesn't record any times of doubt or giving up on Abraham and Sarah's part during those years. This does not include the initial statement of promise, when Sarah laughed and doubted.
It just amazes me, how God's timing is perfect and if He says He is going to do something He will. God doesn't break promises. So when you start to doubt and think that God forgot you, remember this story. I sure will.

Erm...

I was brought up in church. I am a very observant person and as a child I mimicked everything I heard and saw. People fascinated me. They still do. I loved watching and listening to people then and I love to watch and listen to people now.

I remember listening to the prayers of the adults around me and thinking, "Wow, those are some fancy words." and "One day, when I'm older I will be just as fancy shmancy with my prayers."

The prayers of the adults around me, almost always began, "Padre Altisimo, Que estas en los Cielos", translated, "Most High Father who dwells in the Heavens." That was just the beginning, the intro , the salutation. Can you imagine the rest of the prayer. I can tell you that it became more fancy as it went on.

I assumed, of course that eventually my prayers will become effortless and fluid and flow out of my mouth with ease and eloquence but I was wrong.

As I got older I was asked to pray before others, sometimes a small group, like my Sunday School class and sometimes a large group, like the entire congregation. I couldn't help but erm.. my way through my public prayers. I am an erm..ummer public pray-er. I can't help it.

I became frustrated that my prayers were not elaborate and eloquent and soon panicked when asked to pray publicly because I would end up sounding incompetent. My public praying is so different than my personal ones. I don't erm so much and sometimes not at all.

One day it just occurred to me that the reason for my ermming was because I was uncomfortable. I was thinking about who was around me and how to impress them with my words and not so much in the words and who I was talking to.

I thought I had to sound fancy in order to sound spiritual and that was the problem. I shouldn't have wanted to sound spiritual. I should have wanted to speak to God, to praise Him, to Honor Him, to ask of Him in faith with a sincere heart and without wanting to impress. Again, I had to forget about the words and meditate on who I was talking to. I had to erase from my mind the fact that there was anyone around me and have that intimate conversation with God. That's what prayer is.

Prayer is not a speech. It's more personal than that.

I still erm...um through some of my prayers both private and public but not for the same reasons, and not as much. I think God likes unrehearsed prayer because He like us to be ourselves and in being ourselves, sometimes, we are at a loss for words and sometimes we stammer a bit when we speak and sometimes the words are hard to find and that's okay, as long as we are praying sincerely.

We don't speak flawlessly to each other. We are human and at times during our conversations with others, it is difficult to put into words what we want to express. That's just the way it is.

So whether you are a public pray-er who speaks with fluency to God or one that erms your way through your talks with God, all that matters is that you are honest and you remember who you are speaking to and revere Him in your prayers.

In my Biblical study of being a submissive wife, I am learning so much

A Wifes Biblical Submission study by Sunny

http://biblicalsubmission.blogspot.com/search/label/WEEK%20%231

I still have to learn how to use Mr. Linky I don't know how to link back other than how I posted the link above.

I just began the study and it is an uphill climb. The seriousness of the committment to be the submissive wife is appropriate. This is serious. I have always been a submissive wife but this study has shown me that being submissive for submissives sake is not the right way instead being submissive for God and His glory is different. I want to please God and I want to be obedient. I want Him to be glorified. I also want to please my husband and in doing so honor God, for I belong to God and my husband. This is something many modern day Christian wives have a hard time with but the word of God tells us that we need to be submissive. That's it. If it's in the Word it is to be taken in and applied no questions asked.

I am committing myself to this study and hoping to grow closer to God through it and closer to my husband. I'm already seeing my marriage and my husband in a whole new light. My marriage was very good before this study but I already feel it getting better because God is helping me to see my husband the way He wants me to see him and the view is fantastic.

A Wife's Biblical Submission

I was surfing the net. Does anyone still say that? Anyway I was looking for Blogs written by Christian Women and then I went on CWO (Christian Women Online). On the CWO site I saw an article titled Sister 2 Sister and read about Sunny Shell and her Bible Study available online called "A Wife's Biblical Submission http://biblicalsubmission.blogspot.com/2008/08/welcome.html I was intrigued and went on the site and quickly decided that I wanted to join the study. I want to join to please God and be a good wife to my husband. I want to learn more about becoming the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31, for His glory and then for my husband, family and lastly for myself.
I have been married for twenty-eight years. I was a young bride and now at the age of forty-five I am a grandmother. I have three precious daughters between the ages of twenty-five and thirty. I have one grandson and another grandchild on the way.
I taught in a New York private school for eleven years (First through third grades)and because of my disability was obligated by doctors to stop working. I miss teaching so much but I know that all things work together for good. I am a happily married pastors wife.

His Affection

Yesterday during the sermon my husband, the Pastor, took me by surprise when he spoke of me during his sermon. I was surprised because I had asked him not to speak of my health when he preached.

Anyway... the verse, the sermon was based on was

Proverbs chapter 3:5, 6

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

He broke the verses down and ministered according to Gods will. It was

very edifying. Glory to God.

Toward the end of the sermon my husband said, "I am going to say this, and I'll probably say it a thousand times more, but I see a miracle everyday in my wife." Then he pointed at me and smiled.

I was stunned because I knew he was referring to my health and I specifically asked him not to speak of it, but right after the initial shock the Lord spoke to my heart and told me that He had a purpose and my husband needed to share the story. So I listened quietly to what the Lord was going to say through the story.

My husband went on to say that there are things in this world we might not understand but God knows all. His ways are not our ways.

He spoke of the last time I was hospitalized and how lengthy the hospital stay was and how he was very afraid because the doctors spoke to him and told him they didn't know what was going to happen. This is the first I was hearing of this. The doctors told him that if I beat the infection, I will improve but it was wait and see and five weeks later I was still in the hospital and not doing well and at one point I didn't even recognize him.

I was heartbroken to hear that and grateful I didn't remember not knowing who he was. He went on to say how he just broke down and cried and how he asked God if he was praying wrong. Then he said the words that God was longing to hear. My husband said, "No matter what happens, if she dies or if she lives, You are still God."

The next day when he went to see me at the hospital, I was up, lucid and on my way to recovery.

The doctors say there is no cure for my disease and it's still just wait and see but God is sustaining me and I am doing well. Praise God.

Four days ago my second child was very ill, and I had to care for her because her husband was away. I had her sleep in my home for a couple of days so that I can keep an eye on her. Those were a grueling two days.

On the third day we went to the doctor's office. I took her hand when she went through her painful test. I helped her through it, as any mother would.

She is feeling better today but still has a few more results to wait for, please keep her in prayers.

The point is, that we cannot understand how God works but we need to trust Him. I was supposed to have died and yet I did not, and still even more remarkable is the fact that I was well enough to care for my daughter. When at this point, according to the doctors, I should have been the one taken care of. God is amazing.

Since my husband has been a pastor, there have been many ups and downs but the ministry has always been rewarding and one of the rewards is the fact that I have seen how much my husband loves God and how much he loves me .

He has always been an affectionate man with me and because Christ is the center of our marriage, he has shown us both the importance of each other and how valuable we are to each other.

Thank you Lord, for my husband.

Father God,

Thank you for my husband and please help me and my husband to continue being affectionate towards each other in a sincere manner and an example to others that if You are in our lives, the love between us is real and strong, and that it is so important for us to know the importance of You being in the center of our marriage.

Keep our love for each other strong and the affection for one another honest. Help me to see my husband as a man who loves and values me and may I always love and value him and never ever leave the desire to show him affection always, and in an appropriate fashion.

Help me to show him affection when he needs it the most. Let me know when he needs that extra hug or peck on the cheek, when I don't see the need. Help him to see the need in me as well.

Help me to understand when it is not about me. Help us to lift each other up always, and never shy from being affectionate towards each other.

The best thing is Lord, and I thank you for this, is that first and foremost my husband loves You and because he loves You, he can love me and does, And because You are in my life, I will always love him. I asked that You stay in our marriage Lord, always.

In the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen

The Power of a Praying Wife

I have been participating, or at least trying to, with the 30 days of prayer for my hubby. The first two days went well and then the enemy got mad and so there have been trials for the last three days, and I haven't been able to speak with God the way I should be and especially for my hubby. So I am catching up and when I should be on day 6(?) I am on Day Three.

MY PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you Lord, for my hubby and thank you for making him a giver, even though at times I don't understand it, I thank you for giving him the heart to give and the wisdom to me, not to protest his giving. My hubby is truly a blessing and I thank you for him.
Thank you lord for always providing for us and giving my hubby the strength to get up each and every morning and work for his family and your church. Thank you Lord for allowing me to help my hubby and not to spend the money he works so hard for frivolously and unresponsibly,in order to provide for the family and to tithe and to give offering and to help others.
Forgive the doubts and the times I didn't see the financial blessings you have provided.
Thank you lord for helping us when we were at rock bottom and always providing us with the basic needs of food clothing and shelter.
Lord Thank you for giving us the strength and loyalty to stick by each other and never to give up on each other.
Thank you Lord for such a hard working man and for giving me the ability to trust that because he is God fearing and hard working that I will never be without.

"Consider the lilies..."

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Luke 12:27

Thank you Lord for getting us through when we thought we wouldnt make it and thank you for keeping a roof over our heads, food on the table and clothes on our backs.

Lord, I ask that we be content and continue to trust that you will provide for our every need and remember all the times you have provided for the needs and tossed in a treat every now and then.
I appreciate all those times Lord and know that there will be more and so I trust in You.

Lord, I ask that you continue to work through Angel, and that you continue to give him the strength to work both outside and in your fields.
I ask Lord, that you give him peace and wisdom as you have in the past to care for our family and to place You in the center of our finances and our lives.
I know Lord, that Angel loves You, His love for You is obvious and his desire to serve You and others is apparent.
Lord, I pray that he may be encouraged, continue working in him and give him strength peace and joy to continue in Your path.

"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." Psalm 37:25


Thank you Lord for Angel ,I know you will continue to provide for us and that you will continue to give him the strength needed to work and for me to make his return from work a pleasant one, and that I continue to show my appreciation for him.
Lord, I ask You to let him know , in some way, that he is very appreciated by us and that all his hard work is not in vain.
Lord, thank you because I know You are our Provider, I never expected to be where I am today and I can only imagine what blessings you have in store for my hubby and family and for our future.

Thank you Lord for giving me the confidence to know that everything will be okay.
Thank you Lord for a hubby who makes me feel safe, and secure financially and in other ways.

In the Name of Jesus Christ
Amen



Consider The Lilies
Written by: Joel Hemphill



Consider the lilies they don’t toil nor spin
And there’s not a king with more splendor than them
Consider the sparrow they don’t plant or sow
But they’re fed by the Master who watches them grow



We have a Heavenly Father above
With eyes full of mercy
And a heart full of love
He really cares when
Your head is bowed low
Consider the lilies and then you will know


Now may I introduce you to this friend of mine
Who hangs out the stars and tells the sun when to shine
And kisses the flowers each morning with dew
But He’s not too busy to care about you

Youth Today

A friend of mine (Elizabeth Lopez)posted this on Facebook. It's a very moving and insightful post written by her fifteen year old son. I had to share it and so I asked permission to post it here. I am so impressed with this young mans very perceptive view on the youth around him. He has an amazing spiritual maturity and it is evident in his writing, which makes it all the more extraordinary because he has so much more growth ahead of him, as we all do.

Enjoy

The bottom of this post has my signature on it but it was not written by me

Youth Today As Seen Through My Fifteen Year Old Son's Eyes

My son wrote this on his Myspace page and I just had to share he was speaking from his heart. I am so proud of him God has BIG plans for him....


"What's happened to living lives seperated and holy unto God? What happened to walking with him in the rough and praising Him in the good? What happened to being different from the world? What happened to being the kids with different music in the ipod, not stressing over relationships, not trying to sneak behind our parent's backs, staying pure til marriage, building each other up not tearing down, having clean mouths and jokes and being easily seperate from the crowd? Why do we sit on the fence b/w Christianity and the world. We mock those who do right and brag about doing wrong. We tear each other down and fight each other when our adversary the Devil sneaks about seeking prey. He has a grip so tight we can't even muster breath to pray. We can tell why Chris Brown beat up Rhianna or who at school is dating who? But we can't say who built the ark nor why Daniel was in a lion's den. The sad part is we gave the Devil his grip and don't fight to make him let go. Who'll step up and fight. Who'll go against the crowd. Who'll pray over their food and read a Bible at school? I'm gonna take the plunge to be sold out. Who else will? Who'll be a Daniel and go against the wishes of the people and be persecuted for worshipping God, who'll be like Noah and be mocked for doing God's will and work no matter what the outcome may be. Who'll stand up in our youth groups and say lets stop fighting each other and worrying about the latest gossip and get the message out to a lost and dying world. I was shocked today as I continually see what today's Christians are doing. Do we even know what happens post-Salvation? Do we even hear the Holy Spirit call? I'm taking the plunge today to be 100% sold-out. To go against the crowd and keep God's music in my ear, worry about my relationship with God not a girl, stay pure til marriage, study His word, pray without ceasing, be where Christians ought to be not hanging out in places we have no business in, use words and jokes that Christians ought to say. 100% who else is with me? I've been on this road a long time, I thought there were more behind me traveling towards God as well. Clearly not. But that can change. Who wants it to though?"

By Dashaun

Pollyanna or Eeyore

It's 9:35 a.m. on a Saturday in Brooklyn, New York. The sun is shining and the high is predicted to be in the eighties. It should be a great day.

Refelcting, I am thinking that, it should also be a great day, if it was cloudy , cold and the high's in the thirties, shouldn't it?

I love the sun and the warmth it makes me happy. I do not like the cold at all, especially because I am anemic and the slightest breeze, seems like a wind chill sweeping down from the arctic. Okay, that was an exaggeration.

Most days I wake up and the first thing out of my mouth is "Thank You Jesus" Praise will continue spewing out of my mouth as I slide my feet inside my cozy slippers and shuffle off to the bathroom and freshen up to start my day. The groggy but sincere praises come out in a froggy voice until I start to brush my teeth and then the praises are mentally sent forth.

Everything is good.

My routine is morning coffee, while reading through some Christian Women's blogs (I love the early fellowship with sisters, it is highly motivating)

Coffee, sunshine, good reading, comfy coziness, Thank you Jesus.

Who wouldn't be thankful under such serene and content circumstances?

The birds are tweeting and I can hear the faint laughter of children playing in the park across the street. if I were to look out my window I would see people walking their cute, very groomed puppies and the occassional runner trotting by.

*sigh*

Life is good. Thank you Jesus.

But in the real world, there are mornings, when I wake up and in my almost gutteral voice say, an almost forced, and not so sincere, obligatory, "Thank you Jesus for this day..." I might as well offer up an offensive blah blah blah, because the worship and praise and thanks is not coming from my heart. It is forced and I have made it mandatory.

Why, do I wake up like that on some days?

Well, obviously it's because I didn't sleep well the night before and so I wake up achy. The room is still dark because it is cloudy outside and it looks like rain all day. I'm cold and the heat hasn't kicked in and when I attempt to slide my feet inside my cozy slippers for warmth, I miss, and almost trip, causing my bare feet to touch the cold hardwood floors.

Argh!

I shuffle off to the bathroom and find that I didn't replace the empty tube of toothpaste with a fresh new one from the pantry and there are no D*xie cups for my mouthwash.

Grrrr.

Grumble, grumble, grumble.

So... I drag myself to the cupboards, when the telephone rings, I check the caller I.D and it is a telemarketer. More grumbling from me.

If we are to be honest, we would admit that not everyday begins with a "Pollyanna Morning of Greatness" and positive thoughts. It is more like an "Eeyore Dragging Morning of Gloom"

Bluebirds aren't circling our heads and we don't prance around all giddy singing our favorite worship songs.

I want to get to the point in my life where I am spiritually mature enough to wake up in the cold, damp, dark apartment realizing, I didnt set the coffee maker the night before and ran out of filters, stubbing my toe on the corner of the kitchen table and not letting all of it ruin my day or set the tone for the rest of it.

I want to find joy in all , not a maniacal laughing at all the things that go wrong during the day but an "It sucks but it's okay" attitude.

So what? There are no coffee filters and you forgot to replace the tube of toothpaste. So, it's cold and the heat isn't on. God is still in control and life is still good and so God I sincerely worship you this morning, NOT to force myself into doing it but because in the grand scheme of things I always know that you are and always will be. I will always know that You love me and that everything is going according to your plans as long as I continue to follow your direction.

Good Morning Lord and thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

A Clip from the movie "Pollyanna" Notice her positive attitude in spite of all the nastiness around her:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL-jtuw570c

There are people around us who need to know Christ. Instead of looking for something "big" to do, begin today to invest your gifts and talents in one person-Babbie Mason

It's Been A while

I haven't written in a while but I assure you I have been very reflective;)
New post coming sometime today :) Don't give up on me :)