May 31, 2009
Have you ever wondered what it was like to live in Biblical times? I've often wondered what it would be like to sit in front of my single room mud built home and watch the crowds filter by.
Perhaps children would run in and out searching for attention or something to play with. The hot summer sun might cause me to move just inside the doorway for a little relief. Mother's with jugs of water splash down the alley while father's yell about scriptures and government. Occasionally a beggar can be heard whimpering for just a little food to eat.
In the middle of this human parade, trumpets blast the arrival of Roman guards. Their red attire, straight backs and sharp swords defy anyone to get in their way. Mother's grab their children and hug the walls while father's grit their teeth in defiance. I'm thankful to be inside my doorway and away from any possible contact.
The bustle resumes and I bend down to pick up a wineskin that fell from a Roman guards side. Another hand reaches for the wineskin. I look up and shade my eyes to see who it is. He moves his body between me and the sun. His cool blue eyes are deep caverns filled with heaven's love. I can't look away from those eyes. Eyes of compassion, acceptance and friendship. Not only do they provide extreme relief, but they seem to be searching my soul.
My heart is breaking from the weight of his overpowering presence. Tears splash down my robe. If only this love was for me. If only he was here for me. What could this stranger know of me? Why would he care for me?
He reaches out and gently touches my shoulder. He hands me the wineskin and smiles. I shudder and feel as though I might drown in my own tears. I try to speak but can't seem to breathe. He smiles, "I think this is yours. I do love you and I am here for you. Be made whole."
My body is trembling with excitement and healing. "Master," I finally whisper as he walks away. I drop to my knees knowing that I will never be the same.
Matthew 9:20-22
Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
The Supernatural World is Real
Did you know that Martin Luther King struggled with fear and doubt? He was able to set it aside for the moment and give an inspiring sermon or speech, but he often felt inadequate for the path he was walking and wanted to quit.
Did you know that Abraham Lincoln suffered with self-doubt and depression? In an article by Joshua Wolf Shenk on Lincoln's great depression - he states, "When Abraham Lincoln came to the stage of the 1860 state Republican convention the crowd roared in approval. Men threw hats and canes into the air, shaking the hall so much that the awning over the stage collapsed; according to an early account, "The roof was literally cheered off the building."
The next day the convention closed. William J. Bross saw Lincoln sitting alone at the end of the hall, his head bowed, his gangly arms bent at the elbows, his hands pressed to his face. Lincoln noticed him and said, "I'm not very well."
If you go to the following link you will find a list of famous people that have dealt with depression. http://enc.slider.com/Enc/Famous_Depression_Sufferers People like Buzz Aldrin, the second man to set foot on the moon - and - David Bohm a physicist that contributed to Quantum theory and Bohm-diffusion. Other sufferers include Dick Cavett, Winston Churchill, Princess Diana and Mike Wallace.
Why would all these famous people with so much going for them suffer with depression? Why wouldn't they feel excited and free? Why don't they see themselves as others do? I am sure there are physical reasons for some cases of depression and some of the people on this list may have helped their depression along with bad behaviors.
But....I'm wondering if the supernatural was a factor especially to those men and women that had huge contributions to the welfare and advancement of our society.
For example, Martin Luther King received all kinds of death threats, he was plagued and harassed by the FBI and his followers talked about him as if he were the messiah. It would take a "superman" to not let the positives and negatives of his situation affect his personal feelings. I'm sure he wondered if he was large enough to carry the burdens of the Civil Rights movement. Would he survive? Would he make a mistake and cause the entire movement to collapse?
When he closed his eyes for a moment of rest did he hear the quiet murmurs of another being....."You can't do this. Who do you think you are? You don't have what it takes to make this happen and when the crowds find out that you don't have what's needed - they will bring you down." I could analyze each of these names, but let's analyze the most important person in your world......
Have you ever heard someone whispering in your ear? "______you won't survive what's coming. You don't have enough money or resources. You are going to be part of the group that loses it all and has to beg for crumbs of food. You are going to lose your job. You aren't smart enough to write, to sing, to make a living, to have children, to.........."
Sound familiar? No matter how many times you pray you still feel inadequate - and worse ....because you can't admit your feelings - you feel isolated and alone.
The reason I pointed out those that have gone before and still accomplished great things is this -
There is good news! You don't have to listen to those voices. You don't have to give into fear and depression. God will make a way!
How?
Maybe he will use all of his resources and solve your problem in a miraculous way!
OR
Maybe God will just show up. Maybe He will be your constant companion, advising, guiding, encouraging and standing with you when no one else will. If an all powerful God shows up - look out! things will change.
I think we get in the habit of saying, "I believe in God." while we live like most atheist.
"Woe is me. Why would God take the time to deliver me? After all it's probably my fault."
We need to rise above that kind of thinking and realize that it's probably coming from a dark supernatural power. We must refuse that dark power while accepting and expecting the loving intervention of the Father of lights.
An old saying goes something like this....."Anytime you are attacked with a vengeance, you can be sure that God is getting ready to do something miraculous with your life."
"Know how to tell whose in the middle of God's will? Look for someone the devil is attacking."
"Satan doesn't bother with people who sit on the sidelines. Satan only attacks the players, the people who are willing to make a difference in their circle of influence."
If you are discouraged or wondering if you can make it through some problem - don't listen to evil voices of doubt. That tactic has been around for a long time. Instead, get close to God and you can be sure He will make a way for you!
Cloud and Townsend in their book God will make a way writes, "It starts by believing God indeed will make a way. It's a matter of embracing and exercising faith in God. Trust is the bridge over the raging river. Trust is how we access God's way for us. Trust is acting on your belief that God will make a way. The more you act on your faith in God, the more you will see of his way for you. When God makes a way for you through your trials, it is an active, not passive, process.
Read the psalms and you will quickly see that God will always make a way for his children.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. Psalm 145:18-19
God loves you,
Debbie
Did you know that Abraham Lincoln suffered with self-doubt and depression? In an article by Joshua Wolf Shenk on Lincoln's great depression - he states, "When Abraham Lincoln came to the stage of the 1860 state Republican convention the crowd roared in approval. Men threw hats and canes into the air, shaking the hall so much that the awning over the stage collapsed; according to an early account, "The roof was literally cheered off the building."
The next day the convention closed. William J. Bross saw Lincoln sitting alone at the end of the hall, his head bowed, his gangly arms bent at the elbows, his hands pressed to his face. Lincoln noticed him and said, "I'm not very well."
If you go to the following link you will find a list of famous people that have dealt with depression. http://enc.slider.com/Enc/Famous_Depression_Sufferers People like Buzz Aldrin, the second man to set foot on the moon - and - David Bohm a physicist that contributed to Quantum theory and Bohm-diffusion. Other sufferers include Dick Cavett, Winston Churchill, Princess Diana and Mike Wallace.
Why would all these famous people with so much going for them suffer with depression? Why wouldn't they feel excited and free? Why don't they see themselves as others do? I am sure there are physical reasons for some cases of depression and some of the people on this list may have helped their depression along with bad behaviors.
But....I'm wondering if the supernatural was a factor especially to those men and women that had huge contributions to the welfare and advancement of our society.
For example, Martin Luther King received all kinds of death threats, he was plagued and harassed by the FBI and his followers talked about him as if he were the messiah. It would take a "superman" to not let the positives and negatives of his situation affect his personal feelings. I'm sure he wondered if he was large enough to carry the burdens of the Civil Rights movement. Would he survive? Would he make a mistake and cause the entire movement to collapse?
When he closed his eyes for a moment of rest did he hear the quiet murmurs of another being....."You can't do this. Who do you think you are? You don't have what it takes to make this happen and when the crowds find out that you don't have what's needed - they will bring you down." I could analyze each of these names, but let's analyze the most important person in your world......
YOU!
Have you ever heard someone whispering in your ear? "______you won't survive what's coming. You don't have enough money or resources. You are going to be part of the group that loses it all and has to beg for crumbs of food. You are going to lose your job. You aren't smart enough to write, to sing, to make a living, to have children, to.........."
Sound familiar? No matter how many times you pray you still feel inadequate - and worse ....because you can't admit your feelings - you feel isolated and alone.
The reason I pointed out those that have gone before and still accomplished great things is this -
There is good news! You don't have to listen to those voices. You don't have to give into fear and depression. God will make a way!
How?
Maybe he will use all of his resources and solve your problem in a miraculous way!
OR
Maybe God will just show up. Maybe He will be your constant companion, advising, guiding, encouraging and standing with you when no one else will. If an all powerful God shows up - look out! things will change.
I think we get in the habit of saying, "I believe in God." while we live like most atheist.
"Woe is me. Why would God take the time to deliver me? After all it's probably my fault."
We need to rise above that kind of thinking and realize that it's probably coming from a dark supernatural power. We must refuse that dark power while accepting and expecting the loving intervention of the Father of lights.
An old saying goes something like this....."Anytime you are attacked with a vengeance, you can be sure that God is getting ready to do something miraculous with your life."
"Know how to tell whose in the middle of God's will? Look for someone the devil is attacking."
"Satan doesn't bother with people who sit on the sidelines. Satan only attacks the players, the people who are willing to make a difference in their circle of influence."
If you are discouraged or wondering if you can make it through some problem - don't listen to evil voices of doubt. That tactic has been around for a long time. Instead, get close to God and you can be sure He will make a way for you!
Cloud and Townsend in their book God will make a way writes, "It starts by believing God indeed will make a way. It's a matter of embracing and exercising faith in God. Trust is the bridge over the raging river. Trust is how we access God's way for us. Trust is acting on your belief that God will make a way. The more you act on your faith in God, the more you will see of his way for you. When God makes a way for you through your trials, it is an active, not passive, process.
Read the psalms and you will quickly see that God will always make a way for his children.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. Psalm 145:18-19
God loves you,
Debbie
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Guidance
It's been an extremely difficult month. There's a lot going on in my life right now. Some of it is good and some of it is overwhelming. My sweet hubby sent me an e-mail his morning and it's just what I needed. I hope you enjoy this as well. I often pray for guidance during difficult times. The following is a great way of looking at the "guidance" I need
Dancing With God
When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing 'dance' at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw 'G': I thought of God, followed by 'u' and 'i'.
'God, 'u' and 'i' dance.' God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday. May you abide in God, as God abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.
I hope you "Dance"!
God loves you,
Debbie
Dancing With God
When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing 'dance' at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw 'G': I thought of God, followed by 'u' and 'i'.
'God, 'u' and 'i' dance.' God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday. May you abide in God, as God abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.
I hope you "Dance"!
God loves you,
Debbie
Friday, May 22, 2009
Your Ugly Sweater
A good friend of mine posted the following on his facebook. I thought it was wonderful and asked if I could share it with you. Beware....you might feel the pull of conviction.
Your Ugly Sweater by Peter Flaherty
You know the one. You got it several years back from an old relative for Christmas and hated it. You wore it that day as brashly as you wore the insincere smile on your face, but most of the time it’s jammed in the back of your closet in a heap, as far away from the eyes of the public as possible. You wear it now and again, sometimes to please a certain group of people and sometimes because you’re forced to, but once they are gone it’s right back in the closet in a heap.
Those of you who know me well, know that it takes quite a bit to upset me, but this has gotten to me. It has upset me to my core, and makes me irate every time I come in contact with it. “Christians” who treat their faith like an ugly sweater.You put it on when you’re around the people who you need to see you in it. Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights...you may even wear it to a couple outreaches in the community, and always perfectly accessorized with that insincere smug smile and a little bit of false humility...“How are you today brother?”
“Oh strong in the Lord! I’m living day to day in His grace. Hallelujah.”...almost asking, can’t you see my sweater?But when church lets out, and the outreaches are over, and there’s no one left to fool, the sweater can’t come off quick enough. And there it is again, lying in a heap on the floor. Disregarded and unappreciated until the next “show”.
WE ARE ASHAMED OF IT. If someone were to see me wearing my faith out in public, what would they say? What would they think of me? If I’m wearing that I can’t put on my independence.
What you really mean to say is, “my greed, my selfishness, my lust...my fun, won’t fit over that sweater." You see the problem is we don’t want to give God everything. We want our freedom to do what we want without the constraints of a fickle God. We’ve got no room from Monday thru Saturday for that sweater...we’ve already picked out what were going to wear.
For those of you who don’t follow metaphor very well here it is plain and simple...We’ll give God “His day”, but the rest of the time we respectfully ask him to stay out of our lives. “I can’t watch what I want with you sitting right here God...why don’t you go help someone that’s in real trouble?”
“God, my girlfriend and I want some ‘alone time’, if you know what I mean, so if you could just....you know, go get a cup of coffee or something that’d be great.”
“So did you see what Rachel was wearing today? What an ugly cow! I can’t even look at her without wanting to vom....oh, hey God...I didn’t see you standing there...uh, I don’t really need you right now, so...”
And as gracious a God as we serve, as we continually, through our actions, throw Him aside and ask him to stay out of our lives...the day will come when he will grant our request and let us to our own deceitful devices.
We don’t get it do we. The gift he has given us was bought with the ultimate sacrifice. It was knit together by the hands that were scarred by nails...the same hands that molded the mountains and set the sun in the sky. But it doesn’t suit our style. It doesn’t feel right when we wear it, and maybe that’s because we’ve still got our filthy rags on underneath and we continue to refuse to let it be the only thing we need. We cannot keep on like this...the bible says we cannot straddle the fence, we must not be lukewarm. God says that if we are neither hot nor cold he will spew us from his mouth.“Stop sweating the small stuff” does not work!
I'm tired of people wearing the name Christian (we who were called to be stars in the universe) trying as hard as they can to blend in with this garbage dump of a society! I CAN BARELY TELL THE DIFFERENCE ANYMORE! We must do as Paul says in Philippians, and focus our minds and our hearts on what is right in all things...”whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” ~Philippians 4: 8, 9
Put it into practice and the God of peace will be with you.May you see that the garment offered you has been lovingly made, beautifully crafted, freely given, and sacrificially payed for by a God who loves you and waits for you to wear it without shame.
Right on Peter!
God loves you,
Debbie
Your Ugly Sweater by Peter Flaherty
You know the one. You got it several years back from an old relative for Christmas and hated it. You wore it that day as brashly as you wore the insincere smile on your face, but most of the time it’s jammed in the back of your closet in a heap, as far away from the eyes of the public as possible. You wear it now and again, sometimes to please a certain group of people and sometimes because you’re forced to, but once they are gone it’s right back in the closet in a heap.
Those of you who know me well, know that it takes quite a bit to upset me, but this has gotten to me. It has upset me to my core, and makes me irate every time I come in contact with it. “Christians” who treat their faith like an ugly sweater.You put it on when you’re around the people who you need to see you in it. Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights...you may even wear it to a couple outreaches in the community, and always perfectly accessorized with that insincere smug smile and a little bit of false humility...“How are you today brother?”
“Oh strong in the Lord! I’m living day to day in His grace. Hallelujah.”...almost asking, can’t you see my sweater?But when church lets out, and the outreaches are over, and there’s no one left to fool, the sweater can’t come off quick enough. And there it is again, lying in a heap on the floor. Disregarded and unappreciated until the next “show”.
WE ARE ASHAMED OF IT. If someone were to see me wearing my faith out in public, what would they say? What would they think of me? If I’m wearing that I can’t put on my independence.
What you really mean to say is, “my greed, my selfishness, my lust...my fun, won’t fit over that sweater." You see the problem is we don’t want to give God everything. We want our freedom to do what we want without the constraints of a fickle God. We’ve got no room from Monday thru Saturday for that sweater...we’ve already picked out what were going to wear.
For those of you who don’t follow metaphor very well here it is plain and simple...We’ll give God “His day”, but the rest of the time we respectfully ask him to stay out of our lives. “I can’t watch what I want with you sitting right here God...why don’t you go help someone that’s in real trouble?”
“God, my girlfriend and I want some ‘alone time’, if you know what I mean, so if you could just....you know, go get a cup of coffee or something that’d be great.”
“So did you see what Rachel was wearing today? What an ugly cow! I can’t even look at her without wanting to vom....oh, hey God...I didn’t see you standing there...uh, I don’t really need you right now, so...”
And as gracious a God as we serve, as we continually, through our actions, throw Him aside and ask him to stay out of our lives...the day will come when he will grant our request and let us to our own deceitful devices.
We don’t get it do we. The gift he has given us was bought with the ultimate sacrifice. It was knit together by the hands that were scarred by nails...the same hands that molded the mountains and set the sun in the sky. But it doesn’t suit our style. It doesn’t feel right when we wear it, and maybe that’s because we’ve still got our filthy rags on underneath and we continue to refuse to let it be the only thing we need. We cannot keep on like this...the bible says we cannot straddle the fence, we must not be lukewarm. God says that if we are neither hot nor cold he will spew us from his mouth.“Stop sweating the small stuff” does not work!
I'm tired of people wearing the name Christian (we who were called to be stars in the universe) trying as hard as they can to blend in with this garbage dump of a society! I CAN BARELY TELL THE DIFFERENCE ANYMORE! We must do as Paul says in Philippians, and focus our minds and our hearts on what is right in all things...”whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” ~Philippians 4: 8, 9
Put it into practice and the God of peace will be with you.May you see that the garment offered you has been lovingly made, beautifully crafted, freely given, and sacrificially payed for by a God who loves you and waits for you to wear it without shame.
Right on Peter!
God loves you,
Debbie
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
YOU CAN DO IT!
I know some of you are afraid. I can sympathize. Ron was afraid he was going to lose his job in a downsizing. We prayed and asked God for protection. His job was eliminated, but instead of insisting he leave - they offered him a demotion. We are going to have to survive on hundreds of dollars less per month - but we will survive. Isn't God great to provide an income that includes insurance?
A great friend of mine Barbara Curtis http://www.mommylife.net/ found the following video. I love it! Not only does it look like a great recipe, but it proves that you can survive - and you can do it with a little flair.
Enjoy!
God loves you,
Debbie
A great friend of mine Barbara Curtis http://www.mommylife.net/ found the following video. I love it! Not only does it look like a great recipe, but it proves that you can survive - and you can do it with a little flair.
Enjoy!
God loves you,
Debbie