Monday, August 23, 2010
BECAUSE I LOVE YOU
I guess you've heard it many times before `If it wasn't for the Lord.....'. `If God wasn't on my side.....' . But I'm afraid you're going to hear it again, because the fact is if God didn't love me, if God wasn't by my side, if God was not there lifting me up each time I fell', I really don't know where I would be today.
On the weekend I was talking to a very special friend and her words really gave me a lift. "I am so proud of you, you have been so strong." Thank you Paulinne - it is great that people can see God working in me - but that's exactly what it is - GOD WORKING IN ME - why, BECAUSE HE LOVES ME.
I was out with lunch the other day, with a new friend and she was telling me her story, and again there were the words, `If I had not accepted the Lord as my Saviour, and allowed Him to take control', I'd hate to think where I'd be today. I have just finished reading the testimony of a woman, who in the grips of alcoholism, unemployment and physical abuse,' was able to say, "I always knew God had a better way for me." (Ready to Win Over Depression, Thelma Wells).
Have you ever stopped to think about all Jesus went through for you on calvary. I have - every time I feel pain or resentment. Oh the pain and resentment doesn't always go away, but it is a real help knowing that not only does Jesus understand what we are going through, but He did it,
BECAUSE HE LOVES US!!
On the weekend I was talking to a very special friend and her words really gave me a lift. "I am so proud of you, you have been so strong." Thank you Paulinne - it is great that people can see God working in me - but that's exactly what it is - GOD WORKING IN ME - why, BECAUSE HE LOVES ME.
I was out with lunch the other day, with a new friend and she was telling me her story, and again there were the words, `If I had not accepted the Lord as my Saviour, and allowed Him to take control', I'd hate to think where I'd be today. I have just finished reading the testimony of a woman, who in the grips of alcoholism, unemployment and physical abuse,' was able to say, "I always knew God had a better way for me." (Ready to Win Over Depression, Thelma Wells).
Have you ever stopped to think about all Jesus went through for you on calvary. I have - every time I feel pain or resentment. Oh the pain and resentment doesn't always go away, but it is a real help knowing that not only does Jesus understand what we are going through, but He did it,
BECAUSE HE LOVES US!!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Touched By an Angel
There are some days I wake up with the fight in me, and other days like today, when I just feel too tired and depressed to do anything. You know that feeling.
One of the comments from our sermon this week at Church, was that if you are feeling this way, do something constructive. It may be something for others - like visiting the elderly, or simply for do something you never have time to do when you are busy `fighting'.
I guess it's an excuse, but it is raining today, and I don't like driving in the rain, so maybe tomorrow I might `visit the elderly'. Today though I have been reading again, God's promise to me from Daniel.
In Daniel 10, we come across Daniel tired and a little depressed I would think, as he thought about what was happening in Persia. He had been mourning and fasting for 3 weeks.
"Then a hand touched me and made my hands and knees shake. The man said to me, "Daniel, you are highly respected. Pay attention to my words. Stand up, because I have been sent to you." When he said this, I stood up trembling. He told me, `Don't be afraid Daniel, God has heard everything you said ever since the day you decided to humble yourself in front of your God, so that you would learn to understand things. I have come in response to your prayer." (Verses 10-12)
"Sir, because of this vision, pain has overwhelmed me, and I am helpless. " (Verse 16b)
"Don't be afraid. You are highly respected. Everything is alright! Be strong! Be strong!"
(Verse 19)
What more can I say to those of you out there feeling, like Daniel, and myself - tired, in pain, or depressed. BE STRONG! BE STRONG!
One of the comments from our sermon this week at Church, was that if you are feeling this way, do something constructive. It may be something for others - like visiting the elderly, or simply for do something you never have time to do when you are busy `fighting'.
I guess it's an excuse, but it is raining today, and I don't like driving in the rain, so maybe tomorrow I might `visit the elderly'. Today though I have been reading again, God's promise to me from Daniel.
In Daniel 10, we come across Daniel tired and a little depressed I would think, as he thought about what was happening in Persia. He had been mourning and fasting for 3 weeks.
"Then a hand touched me and made my hands and knees shake. The man said to me, "Daniel, you are highly respected. Pay attention to my words. Stand up, because I have been sent to you." When he said this, I stood up trembling. He told me, `Don't be afraid Daniel, God has heard everything you said ever since the day you decided to humble yourself in front of your God, so that you would learn to understand things. I have come in response to your prayer." (Verses 10-12)
"Sir, because of this vision, pain has overwhelmed me, and I am helpless. " (Verse 16b)
"Don't be afraid. You are highly respected. Everything is alright! Be strong! Be strong!"
(Verse 19)
What more can I say to those of you out there feeling, like Daniel, and myself - tired, in pain, or depressed. BE STRONG! BE STRONG!
Psalm 37
Turn with me to Psalm 37.
Have you ever read a passage in the Bible - one you've read a number of times - and found something new.
Psalm 37:3&4; 5, 7, 23&24. These are all well known passages, and uplifting:
"Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord and He will give you your hearts desire. Commit everything you do to the Lord, trust in Him and He will help you. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act."
"The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand."
These verses have helped me through many a difficult time, so it is not surprising that when I was told, `You have failed - again. You are no good. We don't want you'; I immediately turned to this Psalm.
These verses were comforting, but this time, it was Verse 6, that gave me the strength I needed to persevere.
"He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun."
Yes, I have made mistakes - again. But I am not a bad person, so with the strength of this promise and the love of my friends, my husband and of course the Lord, I will begin my `fight' with Education Department.
Have you ever read a passage in the Bible - one you've read a number of times - and found something new.
Psalm 37:3&4; 5, 7, 23&24. These are all well known passages, and uplifting:
"Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord and He will give you your hearts desire. Commit everything you do to the Lord, trust in Him and He will help you. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act."
"The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand."
These verses have helped me through many a difficult time, so it is not surprising that when I was told, `You have failed - again. You are no good. We don't want you'; I immediately turned to this Psalm.
These verses were comforting, but this time, it was Verse 6, that gave me the strength I needed to persevere.
"He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun."
Yes, I have made mistakes - again. But I am not a bad person, so with the strength of this promise and the love of my friends, my husband and of course the Lord, I will begin my `fight' with Education Department.
The Penny Whistle
Recently I started reading some books by another Christian author - B.J HOFF - in my favourit genre - Christian historical. The Gold Coast Library doesn't have such a good selection as Bundaberg, but I have been able to find a few good books.
I started reading this one - about a teacher and his students, back in the late 1800's. I nearly put it down, because it was difficult reading about much his students loved and respected him, and what a wonderful teacher he was. But I persevered, and the story started to get a little more interesting.
The teacher in the story, Jonathon Stuart, was a musician - he played a flute; but someone had stolen it. After this, and with the fact that he was ill, made him start to think about giving up teaching. He didn't think he could go on - without the `music in him'. I don't want to give the whole story away, but in the end the children made him a penny whistle, and he began playing again. Not only that, but his love for teaching and his health was somehow renewed.
I think you can guess what that `somehow' was.
"I was so terribly, terribly wrong. It was the abscence of hope that had stolen my music, not the loss of the flute. I was living a hopeless life because I hadn't taken God into account. I had simply given up. But God hadn't apparently given up on me. He had another plan....... He reminded me of something I already knew but had temporarily lost sight of. He reminded me that hope is the real music of the soul. Without it, the human spirit cannot sour, cannot rise above the things of this earth - and sing." Jonathon Stewart, "A Distant Music' - Mountain Song Legacy - B.J HOFF.
I now know I was supposed to read this book. Oh, I have never really lost my hope, but I had lost something. In the next few months, through reading God's Word, and other books, I know I will find that `something'. I hope you will come on my journey with me.
I started reading this one - about a teacher and his students, back in the late 1800's. I nearly put it down, because it was difficult reading about much his students loved and respected him, and what a wonderful teacher he was. But I persevered, and the story started to get a little more interesting.
The teacher in the story, Jonathon Stuart, was a musician - he played a flute; but someone had stolen it. After this, and with the fact that he was ill, made him start to think about giving up teaching. He didn't think he could go on - without the `music in him'. I don't want to give the whole story away, but in the end the children made him a penny whistle, and he began playing again. Not only that, but his love for teaching and his health was somehow renewed.
I think you can guess what that `somehow' was.
"I was so terribly, terribly wrong. It was the abscence of hope that had stolen my music, not the loss of the flute. I was living a hopeless life because I hadn't taken God into account. I had simply given up. But God hadn't apparently given up on me. He had another plan....... He reminded me of something I already knew but had temporarily lost sight of. He reminded me that hope is the real music of the soul. Without it, the human spirit cannot sour, cannot rise above the things of this earth - and sing." Jonathon Stewart, "A Distant Music' - Mountain Song Legacy - B.J HOFF.
I now know I was supposed to read this book. Oh, I have never really lost my hope, but I had lost something. In the next few months, through reading God's Word, and other books, I know I will find that `something'. I hope you will come on my journey with me.
IT WORKED!!
Don't you love it when you learn how to do new things, and they actually work. Mark gets a little stressed with me at time, because I have to confess it usually takes a few times to get things right. The quality of this video is not very good - but I will keep working on it. Here's one for you Donna!
We Did It - I'm Back.
Thank you Lord, and thank you Donna - I have finally made my way back on my BLOG again, and can't start writing.
Where do I start? I don't want to spend my time writing to tell you how I have been `hard done by'. Thanks to the Lord, He has worked on my bitterness and anger, and is now readying me to return to his service. It may take time, but we will get there.
I want to spend the next 5 months, telling you about those wonderful PROMISES that God has given me over the past 6 weeks that I have been on Stress Leave. I may share a little about my situation, but just as a background to the BLESSINGS the Lord has and will continue to give me.
My prayer is that in someway, God will BLESS YOU through the PROMISES He has given me.
I'm BACK!!
* This may not work - but I am trying something new. God has blessed me with some wonderful music and I want to share it with you, so we'll see how it goes.
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