He Is Risen!

Guess what, He is risen! Easter was a few weeks ago and I was thinking about what it really means. Having lived many years with out Christ, I can tell you about the before and after. What did Jesus do on the cross? He took your sins and mine. He did this for free and only asks that we accept Him. Sounds to easy to be true...that's what I used to think. I also thought I needed to clean up my act before I could ask Him in to my heart. Wrong! He's helping me clean up my act after I surrendered to Him. Before Christ I didn't know I could ask for wisdom to solve a problem and that He would give it to me without reproach. 

I have had some snags in life recently, in November I lost my dear sister. Yes God helps us with grief, however we tend to hold on to it. In this time the Lord reminds me of Philippians 4:8

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 on these things

This turns me around, knowing that sadness pulls us down. Joy picks us up, singing renews our spirit - try it, you'll like it

Keeping It Real

I want to share something that happened to me last week hoping that it will give understanding to non-christian and christians. Our flesh is always ready to manifest itself. 

There is a little lake about 100 feet from our patio, it was starting to get algae so I called the golf maintenance, they did not respond or even return my call. Later I was telling my neighbor about it, I said that I was going to call and complain and call him an SOB - only I didn't use the abbreviation. Then I said that I was going to call him a MF - again, I did not use the abbreviation. Now if you knew me, you would know how much I love the Lord and think that I would never say such a thing. I will address the christians first, just because you've surrendered your life to Jesus and strive to be like Him, you will still have to deal with flesh at time until He returns. To the non-christians, please try to understand that we are not perfect but that we are being perfected. In Christ we have been forgiven, however, that does not excuse our actions when we fail. Give us a break, just love us as we love you.

Reaching Out

I would like to share something that is heavy on my heart, and that is the gangs. For thirty-nine years I have been approaching them and telling them about the love and forgiveness Jesus has for them. In all of these years, not one time have I received rudeness from them, in fact, they thank me and call me Mam. Church and others, don't you know they are searching for love and acceptance, but in all the wrong places. Just like I was before I found the Lord. I am waiting for God to give me a platform to reach more than a handful at a time. Not one time in my life did I receive a tap on my shoulder telling me there was another way, and His name was Jesus. 

You know, God talks a lot about sin in the Bible. He also talks about habitual sin that is an abomination to Him - That is sin that we keep committing and knowing that its wrong but try to convince ourselves otherwise. We all do it, but we must repent. That means stop it! 

When He opens a door...

I started thinking one day that I would like to volunteer somewhere, I saw an add in the paper for school bus drivers wanted. I didn't need to or want to work at the time, however, I just couldn't get the add out of my head. I finally said, Ok Lord, if this is Your plan for me, I'll do it. For this job, I planned to be truthful about my education; I had always lied before about my 6th grade education and this was my fleece I put out to Him to be sure. Well it was confirmed, I was hired. I spent 13 years driving a bus, it was some of the best years of my life. I had special ed adults and children. We would all sing and talk about Jesus on my bus. I told every parent that we did and if they had any objections we wouldn't while their child was on board. There is a scripture, if He opens a door, no one can close it, in 13 years I was never told no. I got nothing but positive feed back about our songs and yodeling.

Positivity pt.2

 I have had veritgo for several years, I have been able to keep it under control with medication. However, Thursday night I awoke at about 12:30 with a full blown attack. My grand daughter came over and ended up having to call 911. I spent 7 hours in emergency. When it was under control I asked God "why did I have to go through that, in what way were You glorified?" because, boy, I sure couldn't see any reason. Maybe it was so I could share some of my favorite healing scriptures with you. 

Healing came from when they turned from their wicked ways in 2 Chronicles 7:14

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray

 to seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and 

will forgive their sin an will heal their land

So I asked God if there was something I was doing to grieve him. No answer! Then I laid hands on my self, I was so very sick. No help! So then I though I would draw on His sympathy. I said if this was You sick, I'd help You, No answer! Ok God, I give up, Kasey (our youngest grand daughter) called 911.

There is a song, He Is Their All The Time, and of course He was. Philippians 4:8 is one of my favorite verses

Finally, brothers, 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

Be obedient to it, and your health and countenance will change. Stay focused on joy, positive things and good reports

Speaking Up

I can remember so well the first and second time I was able to speak up for our Lord. I had just left church and was in the the super market. I was holding a Bible and a young man questioned me about it. Thinking back on it, I have no idea what was said but I can tell you that is was very brief and made me feel so self-conscious. The second time I was volunteering in for our church's youth group, the leader asked that we get together and pray around a circle. When my turn came I could not speak, after a long pause the leader had the wisdom to know and moved on. Oh yes, I know recall the 3rd time. The high school youth group was at my house and Pastor Vegdahl called us to form a circle, join hands and pray in turn. I thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest. When it was my turn to pray I said to the Lord "Show me what You want me to do" I still say this daily. The Lord say "he who is faithful with a little will be given much". From that day on I was able to speak freely. 

He Lives, He Lives!

After my ocean baptism, I really had a desire to be in the word of God. Here is at least one reason, even though I read that I had been forgiven of my sins, it was so hard for me to believe. As I read, my faith grew daily, little by little I began to believe. Christ really did take my sins to the cross, and now they were out in the ocean. Friends in and out of Christ, I want to tell you, our God is awesome! There is an old hymn that is my testimony:

  He lives, He lives Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me and He talks with me along life's narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart. You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart.

In my next post I'd like to share how I was unable to speak in a shared prayer the first time I was asked, and then, wow, do I have a big mouth today!

Please share your thoughts with me...